Kannur Commission Orders Rs 3.16 Lakh Refund to Job Seeker

The Kannur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a job consultancy and its associated travel agency to pay Rs 3.16 lakh to a contract worker due to their failure to secure him an overseas job. This ruling was issued on 29 September 2023 by a bench comprising Commission President Ravi Susha and members Moly Kutty Mathew and Sajeesh K. P. The commission found the entities guilty of unfair trade practices and deficiency in service.

The complainant, a commerce graduate employed as a subcontract supervisor with the Kerala Water Authority, began his engagement with the recruitment agencies in October 2023. He sought overseas work to support his dependents after being pitched employment in Malta, with the consultancy promising streamlined visa formalities for an overall fee of Rs 7.50 lakh.

The applicant made an initial payment of Rs 1 lakh to the travel agency on 2 November 2023. However, after several follow-ups without any progress, the consultancy cited operational advantages in Lithuania and changed the proposed job destination. Following a six-month delay, the agency redirected the complainant to apply for work in Austria.

To further the visa and work permit process for Austria, the applicant was instructed to visit the consultancy’s office in Ernakulam, where he submitted his original credentials. On 17 February 2025, he transferred an additional Rs 2.50 lakh to the consultancy. Subsequently, he paid Rs 6,000 to a manager on 8 July 2025 for income tax return filings.

The travel agency returned the initial Rs 1 lakh deposit on 3 October 2025. However, the Rs 2.56 lakh retained by the consultancy was never reimbursed, prompting the complainant to seek legal recourse. The commission noted that both the consultancy and the travel agency failed to respond to formal notices sent to them.

In their ruling, the commission emphasized that the complainant had acted in good faith, expecting legitimate employment abroad. The systematic changes in job destinations from Malta to Lithuania and then to Austria, along with the cancellation of scheduled visa appointments, indicated that the recruiters had misled the job seeker.

The commission ordered the consultancy and its management to refund Rs 2.56 lakh for visa processing and tax documentation. Additionally, the entities must pay Rs 50,000 as compensation for the mental distress caused to the applicant and Rs 10,000 for his legal expenses. All payments are required to be made within a compliance window of 30 days.

The commission’s findings highlight the importance of accountability in recruitment practices and the need for transparency in job placements, particularly in overseas employment scenarios.