The Solomon Islands foreign affairs ministry has issued a warning to people seeking seasonal work in New Zealand and Australia to be wary of fake recruitment agents.
The popular seasonal workers scheme is attracting more and more Solomon Islanders with some even leaving permanent jobs for the temporary work abroad.
The ministry's Labour Mobility Coordinator, Jack O'oi says the programme can change the lives of people, but false agents are exploiting the situation by promising immediate access to seasonal work.
"All we can do is warn the people not to give any money to any agents who maybe asking money from them in promising them to recruit them to maybe Australia or New Zealand. We also ask the workers if they could possible take this further to report these issues with the police"
There are about 500 Solomon Islands workers in New Zealand and a lesser but growing number in Australia with 20 more due to depart this week.
Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz