The department of employment and labor says the 31.9% unemployment rate in South Africa provides an ideal environment for con artists to deceive people by offering them jobs in exchange for a fee. The unemployed in Upington and the surrounding are urged to be vigilant. According to the Department of Employment and Labor, the Employment Services (ES) Act prohibits anyone from charging a work seeker a fee for finding them employment. The department says, Employment Services Act, the department, through the Public Employment Services division, is required to offer public employment services at no costs. These services include providing this service at no cost, in an open and easily accessible manner: connecting job searchers with open positions; registering job searchers; registering job openings and other employment possibilities; and many more tasks. Residents in Upington are advised to be alert and cautious about recruiting or related employment service that request to pay that they are a scam and such needs to be reported and report any suspicious advertisement to authorities or alternatively visit the offices of the department of labor for clarity.

Journalist: Asathaba Grootboom
Email: asathabagrootboom2018@gmail.com