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| OFWs lined up at the MWO counters (File photo) |
The Philippine Migrant Workers Office has warned Filipino domestic workers not to resign when offered jobs in a third country that they cannot verify through official channels as this could lead to serious problems like loss of job, abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
The advisory issued Monday said third-country recruitment or the offer to move to another country for work is not only prohibited by the Philippine government, but is also dangerous.
“Unauthorized individuals, often posing as visa consultants, agents or coordinators, have been persuading workers to resign, break their contracts, and pay large sums for supposed processing or travel arrangements that do not lead to employment,” said the advisory.
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“Engaging in these schemes may result in:
· Loss of current employment and breach of
contract
· Severe financial loss from fraudulent fees
· Immigration violations including offloading,
detention or deportation
· Exposure to abuse, exploitation or trafficking
· No legal protection, since the job did not
pass through Department of Migrant Workers’ verification
· Dealings with illegal recruiters are
prohibited under Republic Act No 8042 and the 2023 DMW Rules and Regulations Governing
the Recruitment and Employment of Landbased Overseas Filipino Workers”
If offered a job in another overseas destination, the worker must not readily give up their current jobs without first verifying whether the recruiter is licensed with the Phiippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (www.dmw.gov.ph), said the MWO.
Given Hong Kong’s two-week rule which restricts a worker’s stay in the city to only two weeks in case of termination, there would only be little chance for the worker to complete the documentation process even if the job offer was legitimate.
To avoid falling for illegal recruitment traps, workers are advised against transacting with unlicensed recruiters, visa agents or consultants and ensure that the job offer goes through proper documentation and verification by the DMW.
When offered with a suspicious job offer, the worker is advised to report immediately the MWO on the 29th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty, or call their hotline, 6345 9324.
“Maging matalino, huwag magpaloko” (Be wise and avoid scams), advised the MWO.
