Every now and then, someone asks me: “Arnold, why don’t you just collect placement fees from applicants? If they pay their way, you can lower service fees and attract more clients.”
On paper, it might sound like a good idea. Less cost for employers, more business for us. Everybody wins, right? But that’s not how I see it.
People leave their home countries because they need better opportunities. They’re not sitting on piles of cash, waiting to hand it over just for the chance to work. If we start collecting money from them upfront, we’re making it even harder for them to get ahead. It doesn’t make sense to create more obstacles for the very people we’re trying to help.
Some people think ethical recruitment is just about doing the “right thing.” It is — but it’s also smart business.
When workers aren’t burdened by massive debt before they even start a job, they perform better. They’re not stressed about how to pay back loans or worrying about every penny they send home. Instead, they can focus on their work, integrate into their new environment, and actually thrive.
And here’s the thing: employers notice! Companies that hire through ethical recruitment notice higher retention rates, better performance, and happier teams. They don’t have to deal with constant turnover or workers leaving because they’re desperate to find a better-paying job to cover debts.
Cutting corners by shifting costs onto workers might seem like an easy way to grow, but in the long run, it’s not sustainable. Ethical recruitment builds trust — with workers, with employers, and with the industry as a whole. Companies that partner with us know they’re getting employees who are not just skilled, but also treated fairly.
It’s simple. Take care of your people, and they’ll take care of the job. A business built on fairness and respect will always be one that lasts.
