In a press briefing on Tuesday, Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say reminded individuals desiring to work abroad as OFWs to be extra careful in dealing with people especially those who were introducing themselves as connected with various agencies accredited and licensed by POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration). He said, some were using the names of those agencies just to get the trust of OFWs to be.
The said press briefing also serves as an offshoot to the previous reports where domestic helpers were victimized by certain mediators or negotiators promising better jobs and bigger compensations yet thousands of dollars had been scammed from innocent individuals.
Say emphasized that some negotiators would claim working for agencies that are duly licensed by POEA so they can easily earn the trust of the applicants. However, to be sure, he said that they should transact at their main office and should not meet them in various places like coffee shops.
“Sometimes, itong mga pangalan ng licensed agencies na ‘to, ay ginagamit ng mga tao na hindi konektado sa licensed agencies na ‘yun at nakikipag-meeting sa, halimbawa, coffee shop somewhere in Ermita.”
“Para sa publiko, I would like to advise them: ‘pag hindi kayo inanyayahan at pinatawag sa central or main office, registered address ng agency na ‘yan, at dun lang kayo kakausapin sa mga kanto kung saan-saan… ‘wag ho kayong maniwala dahil ginagamit lamang ang pangalan ng agency na ‘yun. Illegal recruitment ‘yan, definitely illegal recruitment.”
For easy access, the list of licensed agencies could be accessed thru POEA’s website: www.poea.gov.ph.
Say claimed they had been directed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to look closely into the agencies who were involved in illegal recruitment.
“Ang order ng secretary is to look up the site of POEA kung sinu-sino ang engaged in illegal recruitment na mga kaso. That should be decided immediately, for cancellation or suspension.”
