OFW Help

Always ready to help

You are here: Home / OFW News / How to Avoid Illegal Recruitment for OFWs

How to Avoid Illegal Recruitment for OFWs

By

There are estimated of 6,000 Filipinos leave to work overseas every single day.

To secure a job abroad, you have to spend large amount of time to prepare for your documentary requirements, money to pay fees, trips to and from your hometown and cities to process your papers. But there are many instances that prospective workers can be scammed by illegal recruitment schemes.

According to government data, there is a total of 1,592 illegal recruitment cases were reported to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2016. This excludes cases that have either been dropped or not reported at all.

Here are the 10 Reminders on HOW TO AVOID Illegal Recruitment for OFWs

  1. Apply only at the POEA licensed recruitment agencies.
  2. Make sure to deal only with agencies licensed by POEA that approved job offers.
  3. Check agency’s details that can be found on POEA website (poea.gov.ph)
  4. Placement fee can be paid for equivalent of one month salary only.
  5. Pay the placement fee after employment contract is signed and demand for an official receipt.
  6. Process of Application can only be done inside the registered address of the agency.
  7. Avoid Internet Job offers that require immediate payment to secure application. Take note: Once you signed the contract, all expenses should be shouldered by your employers.
  8. Avoid and be aware of ads and brochures requiring you to reply to a Post Office (P.O.) box and enclose payment for application forms and processing of papers.
  9. Illegal Recruitment offers to work abroad through tourist visas. Legal job offers provides employment or authentic work visas abroad.
  10. Transact directly with government offices or personnel instead of dealing with fixers.

illegal-recruitment

Here is also an additional information on HOW TO SPOT the Illegal Recruitment Process

  1. Agency is unlicensed and unauthorized by POEA.
  2. Asks for placement and other fees but cannot provide an official receipt.
  3. Promises faster deployment through tourist visas which you cannot legally work in your host country. It should only be a working visa.
  4. Illegal Recruitment claims direct contact with employer abroad, therefore POEA processing fee is not needed.
  5. Incomplete and unclear information on job placement.
  6. Conducts recruitment activity in public places such as malls, restaurants, or houses. Take Note: Legal Agencies cannot recruit outside a registered business address.
  7. Required medical and training certificates without guaranteed employment.
  8. Fake employment contract and working visa. All job orders must be approved by POEA.
  9. Charges over one month’s salary for recruitment fees. Take note: (RA 8042 Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act) limits the allowable recruitment fees to one-month salary only.
  10. Asks referrals in exchange for discounts on fees.

To Report cases of illegal recruitment, you can file complaint at the POEA office or contact the POEA Hotline at 722-1144 / 722-1155 or visit their website at http://poea.gov.ph/.

Visit www.ofwhelp.com for more Government Services, OFW News, and latest Job Openings. Please also like and share our Facebook Page.

Click here to read: