Fake job-related documents on sale in Vietnam
If you are illiterate and in poor health but want a job, go to Vietnam’s southern Dong Nai province where fake high school diplomas and health certificates to be attached with job applications are on sale.
Thanh Nien correspondents located an agency in the provincial capital, Bien Hoa, selling such documents.
“Dossiers on sale here” was scribbled in white chalk on a small board in front. A man in his 40s was inside.
“I want to buy a complete set of documents to apply for a job but I do not have a diploma or other certificates except an ID card,” one correspondent asked.
“VND500,000 ($31),” the man said, “and you will get all the required papers for job interviews including a certified copy of a high school graduation diploma, a temporary residence permit, a certificate on labor law, and a health certificate.”
“It is becoming more and more difficult; so the price is a bit high,” he said apologetically.
The correspondent agreed and received forms to fill.
The man promised to take care of the rest, boasting the certification stamps on the diplomas belonged to the Dong Nai provincial government.
At another place in Bien Hoa, this one an employment agency and a limited company, the same documents were offered at half the price.
An employee showed us a sample notarized copy of a fake high school certificate. It had a red stamp, ostensibly belonging to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Binh district authorities, and was notarized by the head of the district’s judicial section.
When one of us asked: “Would the agency return the money if ever I was fired because my employer found out the truth?” The agency’s manager blew up, swearing: “It is your business. We only make job application documents here.”
He offered other services including fake household booklets for VND600,000 ($37.5), computer certificates, and master copies of English certificates which he proudly called “hard cover”.
Thanh Nien also discovered another trick these labor agencies are up to: they sometimes put out fake job advertisements so that more job seekers would apply.
The more applications there are, the more money these agencies earn as each application has to be accompanied by a nonrefundable deposit.
On top, they also get a commission from each successful applicant.
By Tri Quang - Thanh Nien - August 11, 2006.
|