MLSS warns of fraudulent TikTok account - Claims misuse of Labour minister’s videos to promote fake Canadian farm work opportunities

KINGSTON:

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is alerting the public to the unauthorised and fraudulent use of the videos of minister Pearnel Charles Jr by the TikTok account using the handle @mr.agent.clarke.

According to the MLSS release, "This TikTok page falsely states that they are authorised to provide overseas employment opportunities by using repurposed videos from social media pages of minister Charles Jr and the MLSS, to deceive and mislead the public.

"The ministry has received reports that this fraudulent actor is circulating deceptive advertisements preying on Jamaicans who are seeking legitimate employment opportunities abroad. This action is not only unethical, but illegal."

The MLSS advised the public that:-

* This entity is NOT LISTED among the Ministry's licenced overseas employment agencies;

* The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is the sole authority responsible for recruiting farm workers under the Overseas Farm Worker Programmes in Canada;

* Entities licenced to provide overseas employment opportunities are published monthly on the ministry's official website and social media pages.

The ministry urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging with this or similar accounts.

Further, the MLSS said the public must "always verify the legitimacy of any overseas employment agency" by:

1. Checking the official list of licenced agencies published by the ministry's website; or

2. Contacting the ministry directly for confirmation.