Travel agency in Bulacan shuttered over alleged illegal recruitment

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shut down a travel agency in Malolos City, Bulacan, on Friday for allegedly offering bogus jobs in Europe in exchange for high fees.

The closure stemmed from an investigation by the Migrant Workers Office in Prague after it learned that the travel agency was hiring unsuspecting Filipino applicants through Facebook.

The DMW added that the travel agency has no valid license to offer jobs abroad and is not registered with the government office.

“Initial investigation revealed that the agency offers jobs such as production workers, agricultural workers, cleaners, restaurant workers, construction workers, and cleaners in various European countries, particularly Croatia, with monthly salaries between P70,000 and P80,000,” said DMW in a statement.

The DMW also said that the travel agency was collecting a processing fee of P100,000 and a placement fee of P300,000 from every applicant. These fees are non-refundable but can be paid in three installments, it added.

The personnel of the travel agency will face charges of illegal recruitment, be included in its list of persons and establishments with derogatory records, and will be banned from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program, the DMW said.

The DMW is calling on other victims to reach out to the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau for the filing of cases against the travel agency. Complaints can also be emailed to mwpb@dmw.gov.ph.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News