DMW closes review center for alleged illegal recruitment

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has closed a review center in Santiago City, Isabela for allegedly recruiting workers for jobs in Poland and Canada.

In a statement on Thursday, the DMW said the establishment posed as an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) review center but was allegedly offering jobs in Poland under two programs: seasonal worker program at skilled worker program.

Under the seasonal worker program, applicants are offered a nine-month contract with a processing fee of 3,500 euros or about P250,000.

Meanwhile, a three-year contract is offered under the skilled worker program with a fee of 5,000 euros or around P350,000.

The review center allegedly promised a salary of 30 euros or over P2,000 per hour.

It also offers several jobs in Canada, including farm worker, fruit picker and warehouse factory worker.

The DMW said the supposed review center is facing illegal recruitment charges because it does not have the appropriate license from the agency to conduct recruitment activities.

It recommended that the Department of Trade and Industry cancel the registration of the individual behind the review center and that the review center, its owner, and other individuals behind the operation be included in the List of Persons and Entities with Derogatory Record.

The Migrant Workers Protection Bureau urged victims to coordinate with the agency through its Facebook page to receive free legal aid. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA News