Government keeps an eye on Work&Travel agencies

The Moldovan students who go to the United State through the Summer Work&Travel Program are not adequately informed, while the agencies that recruit program participants do not fulfill their obligations, said Prime Minister Vlad Filat. He ordered the creation of a working group involving decision makers that will formulate proposals for improving the legislation in the field, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The licensing conditions applying to agencies should be reviewed so as to define their direct obligations. These agencies do not do volunteer or philanthropic work. It is a business and rather profitable as far as I know,” Vlad Filat said. The Premier stressed it is not right that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family are responsible for the Moldovan students' trips to the U.S., but the licenses to agencies are issued by the Ministry of Economy. In a special meeting of the Government, Minister of Education Leonid Bujor said 23 agencies in Moldova are allowed to recruit Summer Work&Travel Program participants. Over 3,800 Moldovan students went to the U.S. through this program so far. About 4,000 Moldovans are expected to work in the U.S. this year, by 1,000 more than a year earlier. The minister said 88 students did not return home in 2009. Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Vadim Pistrinciuc said that a part of the students who go to the U.S. through this program face different problems. They cannot find a job, receive poor salaries and do not have where to live. “The local agencies must make sure that the Moldovan students do not encounter problems in the U.S. and be able to intervene when violations are committed,” Vadim Pistrinciuc said. Minister of the Interior Victor Catan said some of the agencies charge additional commissions and make the students purchase plane tickets at inflated prices. According to the minister, 13 legal cases were opened in 2009-2010 over non-observance of the terms of the contact by these agencies. Four agencies remained without licenses, while the licenses of another four companies were suspended. The Premier instructed the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration to immediately set up a working group that will formulate amendments to the legislation regulating this area and to make sure that the students are thoroughly informed about all the aspects of this program.