BI links 13 accredited recruitment firms to human trafficking

Thirteen government-accredited recruitment agencies have been linked by the Bureau of Immigration to human trafficking activities.

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred  Mison said the “modus operandi” of these agencies was uncovered following the recent interception of 47 prospective overseas Filipino workers who were found using fraudulent documents.

Mison said the 47, who were intercepted by the bureau’s travel control enforcement unit (TCEU) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, were bound for the United Arab Emirates and were found to be headed for Lebanon and Jordan to work as domestic helpers.
 
Mison requested Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to suspend the recruitment license of the following agencies:
 

• Trustworthy International Manpower Corporation,
• Experts Placement Agency, Inc.,
• Chosen Divine Mercy Manpower Services Corporation,
• Dobim International Manpower Services,
• Zareiko Productions Inc.
• Ridzkey Human Resources International Services,
• Dolma International Placement Corporation,
• Inter-Globe Manpower and Consultancy Services Incorporated,
• Caz International Incorporated,
• Dream Fame International Manpower Corporation,
• Tibiao Antique Manpower Agency Your Overseas,
• Neostar International Manpower Services,
• SMK International Agency Incorporated.

 
“POEA recently suspended Nahed International Manpower Services for trafficking and illegal deployment of Filipinos to Jordan using UAE as transit point. However, the other above-named agencies continuously operate despite also being involved in trafficking and illegal documents,” Mison said.

GMA News Online tried to contact the agencies for their comments, but most were either unavailable or have changed the contact details that were reflected on their social media accounts. Neostar International Manpower Services refused to comment pending advice from lawyers.

Offloaded OFWs

Mison said the offloaded OFWs had presented travel documents, including overseas employment certificates (OECs) indicating they are to work in the UAE as assembler, barista, cashier, office clerk, salesperson, and restaurant steward.
 
The OFWs also reportedly used fake pre-departure orientation seminar documents that indicated they will work in Saudi Arabia.
 
Government authorities have always warned OFWs against accepting fraudulent and reprocessed work documents because many have ended up with abusive employers or forced into prostitution.
 
Among those offloaded was a 33-year old Davao City native who presented a visa to work as an assistant teacher. Another lady, an 18-year-old Cebuana, has a work visa as a saleslady.
 
They were stopped from departing, along with 45 others, when their documents were found fraudulent and that they actually intended to work as domestic helpers in Jordan and Lebanon.
 
Mison said “tourist workers” leave the country purportedly as tourists but are in reality being deployed as laborers abroad.
 
“They were carefully checked by the duty TCEU officers which resulted to the admission of the passengers that their real intention is to  work as domestic helpers,” he said. — with Rie Takumi/KBK/JL, GMA News