The Department of Migrant Workers has simultaneously shut down eight branches of a visa consultancy firm nationwide after it was found to be illegally recruiting Filipino workers, specifically teachers, for jobs in the United States.
In a closure operation on Friday led by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac at the main office of the Visa to America Manila Inc. in Ortigas, Pasig City, he said the firm offers job placements to the US under the H-1B and J-1 visa categories, without a DMW license.
H-1B and J-1 visa categories are legitimate temporary work and exchange visas in the US.
“Their modus operandi is supposedly visa assistance, travel consultancy, things like that, visa consultancy, but in reality, they are matching, they are offering jobs abroad without a DMW license,” he said.
Cacdac said the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) simultaneously padlocked the company’s branches in Cebu City, Lucena City, Iloilo City, Santiago City, Quezon City, Davao City, and Zamboanga City.
He said a victim approached the DMW during its Independence Day job fair event and reported the company, disclosing that the company asked for a hefty amount for the visa package, which was later revealed to be equivalent to a placement fee.
Cacdac said the DMW will file criminal charges against the firm’s owners, including all its staff and employees, for large-scale illegal recruitment, which is non-bailable.
Cacdac warned the public not to fall victim to seemingly legitimate offers, even if the office looks professional, or bears the names of popular destinations like the US.
He advised job seekers to always verify if a recruiter is licensed through the DMW website.
