DMW shutters agency illegally recruiting for jobs in Germany

The Department of Migrant Workers on Friday shut down a consultancy firm in Malate, Manila for allegedly recruiting aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for jobs in Germany.

In a 24 Oras report on Friday, the DMW responded to complaints submitted by victims who had paid over P200,000 for German language training at the Gisgerman Document Facilitation Services (GIS) in Manila.

According to a statement, the firm allegedly promised hotel and domestic care jobs while unlicensed with the DMW.

They also charged Filipino workers a P102,000 fee for language training and another P5,000 for an enrollment fee.

After the language training, the firm would allegedly ask for an additional P99,000 for employment processing after referring the Filipino worker to a German employer.

The firm and its staff were included in the DMW's "List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record" and would be charged with illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate.

“Ang pinresent nila sa atin is actually an agreement with a local recruitment agency and based dun sa wording ng agreement nagpapapasahan nga sila ng recruit, so that’s already a nail,” said DMW Assistant Secretary Kiko de Guzman.

The DMW urged aspiring OFWs to refer to the DMW website for licensed agencies and approved job orders when choosing a consulting firm for overseas work.

“We will never tolerate any individuals or companies preying on the hope of Filipinos wanting to land a decent job abroad,” said DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac.— DVM/VBL, GMA Integrated News