Firm: Check expats’ permits carefully

 TASK Force Rausim Alien has been urged to properly check the documents of expatriate workers before arresting and charging them.

The owner of H. Jakaria and H. Hera Ltd, Hossain Jakaria, said this yesterday after learning that three of his expatriate managers were charged and detained by the task force on Wednesday in Lae, Morobe.

The Bangladesh businessman said he was away on a business trip to Kainantu, Eastern Highlands, when his employees called and informed him that three of his managers were arrested.

According to Rausim Alien coordinator John Bria, the trio and seven others were charged for failing to comply with their visa obligations and for remaining in the country without a valid visa.

Jakaria said: “The task force is doing fine but it would be better if they properly check people’s work documents before telling them to jump in the vehicle.

“We are not criminals. We are investors and deserve proper treatment.”

Jakaria denied claims that his three managers were part of a huma­n smuggling ring that ope­rated from Port Moresby as claimed by the task force.

“I am willing to produce their work documents to authorities but I am afraid I might end up in jail like them,” he said.

The task force pounded the trio in Taraka and the Bumayong areas.

Bria denied treating the suspects as criminals.

“They breached their conditions of their visas and as such they were arrested, charged and locked up in the cells.

“The law applies to everyone ,” he said. 

“They were lucky they were not locked up.”