Man detained as police widen investigation into questionable recruitment of young women

Police investigations into the questionable recruitment of Vincentian women for baby-sitting and housekeeping jobs abroad have resulted in one man being detained due to fears of illicit activity.

The Police Public Relations and Complaints department issued a release on Sunday, February 13, stating that Carlton Richardson, a resident of Fair Hall was detained by police in the North Western District after a female resident reported to the police that on Saturday, February 12, a male approached her and told her that he was seeking to recruit young women to work as baby-sitters and housekeepers for “a white woman” in the Grenadines.

The man’s detention comes days after Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves warned that baby-sitting opportunities being offered to young persons could result in human trafficking.

The prime minister said that he had spoken to the Commissioner of Police and alerted the Anti-trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU) to get involved in the matter.

“It has come to my attention that some persons —it hasn’t become a flood yet but it may become if we don’t put a stop to it — and it deals with some persons who are holding out promises to young ladies to go to England to be baby-sitters,” Gonsalves said last Wednesday during his usual appearance on NBC Radio’s Face to Face programme.

He said many persons have sought assistance through the Prime Minister’s Office to get to England after being offered these jobs.

Gonsalves, who has responsibility for National Security added that, “our office is telling them very simply, you go to England because you are a Vincentian. You can get to go there without a visa and stay up to six months provided that you have somewhere where you are staying and all the rest of it but you can’t go to England and go work unless you have a work permit”.

Under the circumstances outlined, the prime minister noted that persons travel to England and work these baby-sitting jobs illegally as they do not have work permits, and are paid below minimum wage.

“…If they don’t have a work permit then they get abused in one way or the other, things are difficult, they ain’t got nobody or no friend to help them. They may overstay, they may get deported or get locked up or sometimes they get pushed into things which are worse” he said.

He further warned that “these promises… are held out by some individuals who do not have your interest at heart”.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is among several countries where nationals do not require a visa to travel to the United Kingdom.

Gonsalves also warned that acts of criminality like these can also lead to that privilege being revoked.

The Anti-trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU) is also advising the public to be aware of persons offering lucrative jobs both locally and overseas and ensure that job offers are genuine.