The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reiterated the warning to prospective Filipino jobseekers abroad against social media or other online recruitment schemes promising high-paying jobs.
The department issued the warning following several Filipino travelers being offloaded by Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for presenting dubious and fake travel documents.
“Illegal recruiters frequently offer promising jobs and facilitate faster processing of papers on the OFW’s behalf. Regardless of what form of assistance these recruiters can offer, their primary goal is to charge clients as high as possible,” the DOLE said.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma issued Labor advisory No 16, warning the public against illegal recruiters who victimize Filipinos wanting to work abroad, particularly those individuals with poor financial standing.
The DOLE chief likewise warned that any recruitment undertaken by a non-licensed or non-holder of authority shall be deemed illegal and punishable by fine and imprisonment.
Laguesma advised the public to check official announcements, job posts, and list of accredited recruitment agencies before making any
transaction with recruiters.
“Those who have doubts may call the attention of officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Foreign Affairs,
OWWA, and law enforcement agencies,” he added.