DMW padlocks Parañaque firm over alleged illegal recruitment

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday said it has closed down a maritime consultancy firm in Parañaque City for alleged unauthorized collection of fees and illegal recruitment activities.

In a news release, the DMW said the closure came after it received separate complaints from two individuals seeking employment in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

One complainant was allegedly offered a position earlier this year as Chief Cook on board a container vessel for a monthly salary of UD$900 or P51,300, but was asked to pay P105,000 “consultancy fee” for the job.

The second complainant, meanwhile, was also offered a job as Engine Cadet with a USD$350 or P20,000 monthly salary, but was asked for a P140,000 “consultation fee.”

After payment, however, the two complainants waited for several months for deployment notices that never came. This prompted them to bring the matter to the DMW.

The DMW said it initially conducted surveillance operations of the company in March, and another in June to solidify the case against it.

“We cannot allow these unlicensed agencies posing as ‘consultancy firms’ to continue offering supposedly lucrative job postings to our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and goading them to pay excessive amounts of money. This is criminal and unconscionable,” said DMW officer-in-charge and Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

The investigations revealed that the company, which is located in Barangay Sto. Niño, did not have a valid license or accreditation from the DMW, and was processing applications referred to its partner manning agencies for “consultation fees” ranging from P105,000 to as much as P140,000.

The DMW said it is preparing to file illegal recruitment charges against the accountable individuals in the company. It also urged other victims to step forward to strengthen the case. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/KBK, GMA Integrated News