The number of private employment agencies which are operating illegally could be more than licenced ones. That’s what latest data from the Labour Department of the Employment Ministry points to. There are currently about 107 licensed agencies whilst 88 have initiated the process with more still expected to apply. A total of about 195 private employment agencies including private security companies are also so far registered with the Labour Department. This follows a 2-week licencing ultimatum to the agencies which ended on July 31. The Head of Employment and Statistics; Anthony Awotwe has been speaking with JOY-BUSINESS. “We were looking at the situation where those who were operating illegally would comply with the regulations. Therefore those who came in said they didn’t know about the law and therefore came to register to be provided with licence. This is important to enable us gather employment-related information for user-agencis to use it for planning purposes” he said. Mr. Awotwe adds even though the ultimatum has ended, they would not relent on clamping down on the agencies operating illegally. “We have the inspectors and so we’re planning to move out there to carry out inspections of those who have applied as well as those who have not at all. We would also apply sanction like revoking licences where necessary and appropriate” he added.