POEA shuts down two illegal recruitment agencies

Published May 24, 2013 3:00pm

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recently shut down two illegal recruitment agencies -- one in Manila and the other in Quezon City.

Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac identified the establishments as: Firststep Consultancy and Career Development 2nd Floor, Prince Jun Condominium 42 Timog Avenue corner Scout Tuazon Street Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City; and LJP Travel Assistance Agency 1534 2nd Street near Main Street Sta. Ana, Manila. “Our Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch put the two companies under surveillance and investigation after some of their victims reported to POEA their alleged recruitment activities,” Cacdac said.

POEA operatives, disguised as job applicants, alleged that Firststep Consultancy was recruiting chefs and cooks for New Zealand and Australia; electricians for Canada; and landscapers for the United States.

After their job interviews, the POEA officers were instructed to take medical tests costing P3,800.00.

For the landscaper job in the US, Firstep Consultancy allegedly charged applicants P37,500 as reservation fee, P10,000 as processing fee, US$250.00 as payment for training, interview, and US Embassy fee; and P62,500 as “loan."

The applicants were reportedly advised to pay the fees through Firsteps’ two bank accounts.

On the other hand, the POEA officers alleged that LJP Travel Assistance Agency has “job openings” for farm workers in Palau.

The agency did not collect placement fees but applicants were required to pay P6,500 allegedly to cover expenses for the release of the entry permit for Palau.

Under Republic Act No. 8042, amended by Republic Act No. 10022, any act of hiring Filipino workers, undertaken without license or authority from the POEA, is considered illegal recruitment.

Cacdac said the officers of said companies were included in the "List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record." This will disqualify them from participation in the overseas recruitment program of the government.

Complaints

Meanwhile, the POEA is ready to accept work related complaints from Filipino seafarers while they are onboard ships.

Cacdac said Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, through Department Order No. 127, Series of 2013, ordered the strengthening of the modes of conciliation and mediation of labor disputes in the maritime industry.

“The Department Order effectively aligns with Regulation 5.1.5 of the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 of the International Labor Organization which requires the mandatory implementation of onboard complaints procedure for the fair, effective and expeditious handling of seafarer complaints alleging breaches of the requirements of the said convention including labor and employment rights of seafarers,” Cacdac said.

Cacdac said a seafarer may communicate to the POEA an onboard complaint either through postal mail addressed to: The POEA Administrator Blas F. Ople Building EDSA and Ortigas Avenue Mandaluyong City PHILIPPINES 1501 E-mail onboardconci@poea.gov.ph Telephone numbers +6328336992, +6325516641, +6325511560, and +63917898699

The POEA shall provide the seafarer with impartial advice on the complaint and assist them in following complaint procedures.

All information gathered during consultation shall be kept in strict confidence and shall be evaluated based on existing rules and regulations governing the employment of seafarers and the POEA Standards Terms and Conditions.

However, any dispute arising after the seafarer has disembarked will be submitted by the aggrieved party to the POEA for mandatory conciliation-mediation pursuant to Republic Act 10396 and the DOLE regulations governing the Single Entry Approach System. - VVPM GMA News

Tags: poea, illegalrecruitment