Top Ten Ways to Avoid Illegal Recruitment in Working Abroad

The majority of the Filipino workforce dreamed of working abroad.  That is why many Filipinos are giving up a lot of their resources or assets just to work abroad.  However many are also taking advantage of aspiring Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFW) and trying to make a quick buck from them.


This article will explain how aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers can avoid illegal recruitment and saved their money from being handed over to the wrong people.

1. Apply only to recruitment agencies that are licensed or accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).  Not all recruitment agencies in the Philippines are allowed to deploy Filipinos abroad, a recruitment agency needs to comply with the requirements set by the POEA such as the escrow account, business licenses, etc.  

2.  Deal only with licensed agencies with valid job orders.     

3. Conduct business only with persons who is an authorized representative of a licensed agency.  One of the policy of POEA for the licensed recruitment agency is for them to register their employees with the POEA.  

4.  Transact business within the registered address of the agency. Whenever recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority.     

5.  Pay not more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs.   

6.  Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt.  The official receipt will serve as an evidence just in case the OFW wishes to file a case against the Philippine Recruitment Agency.

7.   Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to unknown address such as a Post Office (P.O.) Box.  Furthermore do not enclose or send payment for processing of papers to an unverified person or entity.

8.   Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment.  Take note that travel agencies and training centers are not allowed to recruit aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).  

9.   Do not accept a tourist visa.

10.  Don't deal with fixers.

Remembering these points on how an aspiring Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) can avoid illegal recruitment can save the jobseeker's hard earned money from persons taking advantage of the jobseeker's endeavor in working abroad.

Total Deployment Ban Imposed On All OFWs Bound For Afghanistan

Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz  announced that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board (GB) has ordered a total ban on the processing and deployment of all returning/vacationing overseas Filipino workers bound for Afghanistan, following the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) issuance of Crisis Alert Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation Phase) for Afghanistan, which has been experiencing tension following the conduct of the Presidential Elections held last 14 June 2014.

Governing Board Resolution No. 15, Series of 2014, was signed by DOLE Secretary and POEA GB Chairman Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, POEA Administrator and Vice-Chair of the Governing Board Hans Leo J. Cacdac, and members Felix M. Oca, Estrelita S. Hizon, Alexander E. Asuncion, and Milagros Isabel A. Cristobal.

The deployment ban on new hires for Afghanistan provided under Governing Board Resolution No. 8 issued on 17 December 2007 is still in effect.

In a letter to Baldoz, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert E. Del Rosario stated that Alert Level 3 is issued when violent disturbances or external aggression occur in a limited area.

"Filipinos are enjoined to return to the country. However, the cost of repatriation must be borne by their respective companies," Secretary Del Rosario stated in his letter.

The Philippine Embassy in Islamabad estimated that there are around 5,250 Filipinos in Afghanistan mostly working for US contractors. POEA records in 2013 reveal that they are mostly composed of production supervisor and general foremen, production workers, machine fitters and assemblers, stock clerks, engineers, transport equipment operators, electrical wiremen and electrical and electronics engineering technicians.

Despite incidents of violence, the Presidential Elections of Afghanistan pushed through on June 14, 2014 with around 7 million people voting. There were reportedly 150 attacks which killed 10 Afghan soldiers, 14 civilians, and 19 insurgents and injured many more.

Baldoz said that OFW-repatriates who expressed preference to go back overseas in countries other than their original deployment destination can avail of the government’s employment facilitation service provided by the POEA’s Manpower Registry Division, located at the ground floor of the POEA Building and headed by officer-in-charge Cora Orticio. They can be reached through telephone numbers (02) 722-1172; 722-1176; and 722-9497.

She further said that the POEA’s manpower registry division will provide the information on POEA-approved job orders, countries of destination, licensed recruitment agencies, job position, and salaries so that the OFWs can compare and choose which countries they would like to work again in a similar position with more or less similar pay and other benefits.

The added that administrator Cacdac is also setting up a desk at the POEA with a staff complement to provide re-employment facilitation services, as well as relevant information, to repatriates.

“I have instructed Administrator Cacdac to disclose all relevant market information to the public every time the POEA issues a ban on deployment so that OFW returnees can make wise and rational decisions about their plans. These labor market information includes occupations, skills, and wages in the country and in alternative destinations for those seeking employment or re-employment, as well as employment prospects or labor market analysis that includes information on deployment process and cost, visa information, and market players, or local and foreign placement agencies,” said Baldoz.

OFW-repatriates with money claims and other legal problems are attended to by the legal assistance division (LAD) under the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch headed by Atty. Rose Duquez. The LAD is located at the fourth floor of the POEA Building along Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City and can be reached through telephone numbers (02) 722-1189.

See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781405069901#sthash.jCEakLIt.dpu

P10K Livelihood Assistance For Overseas Filipino Workers In WV

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Western Visayas who applied for the P10K livelihood Assistance Program of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) can now claim their checks at the provincial offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in their respective areas.

Bernard Sibay, Regional OFW Integration Officer of NCRO here in Region 6 said 45 applications for the P10K livelihood Assistance Program have been approved amounting to P450,000.00 and the checks are now downloaded to the DOLE provincial offices for release.

To date, 19 beneficiaries have already claimed their checks of which five received theirs from DOLE Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad during his recent visit to Iloilo City.

Based on the NRCO 6 data, OFWs from the province of Negros Occidental whose applications were approved and have to claim their checks yet are: Ramile Combite, Ressia Bentic, Richard Bautista, Mark Ermeo, Ronabe Mancia, Maritess Atido, Cherryl Anatan, Rodelyn Jane Morales, Maritess Tipon, Susie Espina and Lolita Bacharo.

In the province of Iloilo, approved applicants who also have to claim their checks are: Connie Chavez, Wilma Cataloctocan, Mary Jane Jegonia, Daisy Matrata and Rey Anthony Mosquito.

The following OFWs are also advised to visit their respective DOLE provincial offices: Mary Ann de la Cruz, Imelda Andrade, Rosy Obidos and Nancy Ramirez of Capiz; Presy Maravilla, Josephine Olegario, Mary Jean Mombay; Roberto Amboyoc and Jeffrey Samillano, of Antique; and Meljane Cabanero of Guimaras.

For OFW beneficiaries who are now in Manila or in other areas, Sibay said, they have to execute a special power of attorney that authorizes their representatives to claim their checks on their behalf.

Under the P10K Livelihood Assistance Program, OFW returnees who are distressed, displaced, undocumented including their immediate families and dependents can avail of the assistance for them to start or enhance their existing livelihood undertakings and eventually become self sufficient.

Sibay said if beneficiaries manage their businesses well they could also avail additional development support from the P2 Billion Reintegration Program, a special loan program launched by President Benigno Aquino and implemented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines. (JSC/LAF-PIA6)

See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=931399279737#sthash.9QZ2RyqK.dpuf

OFW Dies in Jeddah Consulate

An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who has been seeking assistance for repatriation from the Philippine government since 2011 after he was diagnosed with ulcer died Wednesday last week inside the consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said repatriation is now being arranged for the Filipino who was identified by migrant rights watchdog Migrante as Danilo Grefadilyo of Sorsogon. Hernandez said the OFW was last seen resting alone in one of the benches of the consulate on April 3, long before undocumented Filipinos began camping out near the consulate.
Grefadilyo, who appeared sick and weak, told consulate officials that he has not eaten for several days due to digestion problems and that “the food he eats was being rejected by his stomach, said Hernandez. (Roy C. Mabasa)

source: TEMPO

Former OFW Wins State Lottery

A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) said he was happy to win half of the 36.7 million pesos (Dh3.29 million) from a government-run lottery because it could help his cancer-stricken son, a local paper said.

The 60-year-old winner of the March 17 lottery (lotto) draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) was crying when he got his money, PCSO assistant budget and accounting manager Paloma Malinao told the Philippine Star.

The OFW, whose name was not released, was bankrupt and had lost all his savings since his son had started treatment for stage 4 cancer, said Malinao.

The OFW’s other younger son, a second-year college student, was also forced to drop out of school, said Malinao.


The OFW was relieved that his win could help him redeem the mortgage papers of his house which was recently foreclosed by the bank, according to PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas.

But above all, the OFW’s main concern, is the recovery of his bedridden son, said Rojas, adding this was the reason why the OFW was “not crying for joy” despite winning the PCSO’s top lottery this week.

The other winner of the lottery was from suburban Muntinlupa City.

source: GULFNEWS

OFW Accuses Philippine Embassy Of Neglect

After spending 10 months in a Saudi Arabian prison, suffering a miscarriage behind bars, and enduring 150 lashes for acts of immorality which she maintains she never committed, overseas Filipino worker Clarissa (not her real name) has finally come home.


Clarissa arrived Thursday in the Philippines after serving her sentence for “immorality" for getting pregnant out of wedlock, a crime under Shari’ah law. Married with three kids, she was accused of having had an illicit affair with a co-worker.

However, Clarissa claims she was raped and that Philippine embassy officials in Riyadh not only refused to believe her, but also tricked her.

“Sabi nila mas madali akong mapapauwi kapag umamin ako (They said I could get home sooner if I confessed to the crime)," she told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.

“Gulung-gulo ako noon at gusto ko na talagang makauwi matapos ang nangyari sa akin, kaya um-oo na lang ako sa lahat ng sinabi nila (I was very confused and just wanted to go home after what had happened to me, so I agreed to everything they said.)," she added.

read the full news at GMA

POEA Warns Recruitment Agency Not To Charge Applicants Of Insurance Cost

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The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has warned licensed philippine recruitment agency not to charge candidates the cost of insurance coverage as a condition for the launched of their exit clearance or abroad employment certificates (OEC).

POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili reiterated that the cost of insurance protection for agency-hired OFWs must be paid by the deploying agency and shouldn't be handed on to the worker.

According to a POEA news launch, OFWs can report companies that violate the legislation to Manalili’s workplace directly.

Beneath Part 37-A of Republic Act (RA) 8042, as amended, any licensed recruitment/manning agency which passes on the cost of insurance coverage coverage to the worker, or uses such insurance protection as basis to claim any additional fee from the migrant employee shall lose its license and all its administrators, companions, proprietors, officers and workers shall be perpetually disqualified from partaking within the overseas recruitment business.

RA 10022 mandates that every newly-hired OFW deployed by licensed recruitment agencies should have insurance coverage protecting the following: accidental dying, pure death, permanent whole disablement, repatriation price, subsistence allowance benefit, cash claims arising from the employer’s legal responsibility, compassionate visit, medical evacuation and medical repatriation.

Direct hires and returning staff or balik-manggagawa are not covered by obligatory insurance coverage requirement.

How to Prevent Illegal Recruitment

What is Illegal Recruitment?

Any act of canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring or procuring workers and includes referring, contract services, promising or advertising for employment abroad, whether for profit or not, when undertaken by a non-license or non-holder of authority contemplated under Art 13 (F) of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines: Provided, That any such non-licensee or non-holder who, in any manner, offers or promises for a fee employment abroad to two or more persons shall be deemed so engaged. (sec. 6, RA 8042).

It shall likewise include the following acts, whether committed by any persons, whether a non-licensee, non-holder, licensee or holder of authority.

(a) To charge or accept directly or indirectly any amount greater than the specified in the schedule of allowable fees prescribed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment, or to make a worker pay any amount greater than that actually received by him as a loan or advance;

(b) To furnish or publish any false notice or information or document in relation to recruitment or employment;

(c) To give any false notice, testimony, information or document or commit any act of misrepresentation for the purpose of securing a license or authority under the Labor Code;

(d) To induce or attempt to induce a worker already employed to quit his employment in order to offer him another unless the transfer is designed to liberate a worker from oppressive terms and conditions of employment;

(e) To influence or attempt to influence any persons or entity not to employ any worker who has not applied for employment through his agency;

(f) To engage in the recruitment of placement of workers in jobs harmful to public health or morality or to dignity of the Republic of the Philippines;

(g) To obstruct or attempt to obstruct inspection by the Secretary of Labor and Employment or by his duly authorized representative;

(h) To fail to submit reports on the status of employment, placement vacancies, remittances of foreign exchange earnings, separations from jobs, departures and such other matters or information as may be required by the Secretary of Labor and Employment;

(i) To substitute or alter to the prejudice of the worker, employment contracts approved and verified by the Department of Labor and Employment from the time of actual signing thereof by the parties up to and including the period of the expiration of the same without the approval of the Department of Labor and Employment;

(j) For an officer or agent of a recruitment or placement agency to become an officer or member of the Board of any corporation engaged in travel agency or to be engaged directly on indirectly in the management of a travel agency;

(k) To withhold or deny travel documents from applicant workers before departure for monetary or financial considerations other than those authorized under the Labor Code and its implementing rules and regulations;

(l) Failure to actually deploy without valid reasons as determined by the Department of Labor and Employment; and

(m) Failure to reimburse expenses incurred by the workers in connection with his documentation and processing for purposes of deployment, in cases where the deployment does not actually take place without the worker's fault. Illegal recruitment when committed by a syndicate or in large scale shall be considered as offense involving economic sabotage.

Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate carried out by a group of three (3) or more persons conspiring or confederating with one another. It is deemed committed in large scale if committed against three (3) or more persons individually or as a group.

The persons criminally liable for the above offenses are the principals, accomplices and accessories. In case of juridical persons, the officers having control, management or direction of their business shall be liable.

No Ban On Seafearers To Somalia

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said it's not necessary to ban the deployment involving Filipino seafarers to international flagged ships because interventions are now taking place to handle the negative consequences of piracy-related situations perilous to them and also to the operations of ınternational shipping.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque believed the troubles that brought on the total ban which was suggested to President Macapagal-Arroyo is being addressed with the implementation of a mutual communiqué or understanding forged between the DOLE and seafarers groups, manning and shipping sectors and the International Labour Organization and International Maritime Organization.

Roque considered the stakeholders signed the communiqué during the Anti-Piracy Summit for Filipino Seafarers held last January 8, 2010 at the Amosup Seamen’s Center in Intramuros, Manila.

“We do not recommend the banning of our Filipino seafarers from working in foreign vessels that ply pirate-infested waters in Somalia as interventions on how to deal with the piracy problem have been identified during the anti-piracy summit,” stated Roque noting that the proposed ban would result in Filipino seafarers losing their jobs that surely will affect their families and the Philippine seafaring industry and the economy as well.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advised to the President the total ban on the deployment of Filipino seafarers to foreign flagships that ply pirate-infested waters in Somalia.

As provided for by the joint communiqué, three measures are now being carried through for the security of the Filipino seafarers against sea piracy. The procedures cover the formulation of anti-piracy regulations, and the conduct of anti-piracy training and psycho-social counseling for seafarers.

Roque considered that above 200 agencies out of 350 manning firms have handed in their own anti-piracy training modules to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The final approval of the explained modules will be based on the standard training module which the POEA is preparing in coordination with the Maritime Training Center (MTC).

Based on the POEA Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2010, “all manning agencies must require seafarers to undergo training on practical measures to avoid, deter or delay piracy/ attacks prior to deployment.” The anti-piracy training is separate and in addition to the regular Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) conducted for departing seafarers. In addition, manning agencies will have to submit to POEA a list of all the trainees each month indicating the name, date of training and name of company.

Apart from the anti-piracy training, the POEA has also approved a resolution permitting the deployment of Filipino seafarers on board vessels transiting in pirate-infested locations provided that the ship owners, principals, managers or manning agencies will make sure the vessel will pass within the maritime security patrol area.

The ship owner and manning agencies will also submit proper security measure steps such as security escorts or joining convoy to all ships passing through identified pirate-infested areas.

On the other hand the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will be providing psycho-social counselling and other support services to the families who will be victims of piracy.