OFW-owned manpower agency questions POEA suspension order

MANILA, Philippines - A migrant leader and former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) questioned the validity of the suspension slapped by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to a manpower agency that he owned. According to records from the POEA, the FMW Human Resources International has been temporarily “suspended from document processing." In e-mail sent to his fellow OFWs, Jun Aguilar of the migrant group Global Filipino Nation alleged that the suspension of their recruitment license was “unjust." “Sa dami ng dapat sinususpinde at tinatanggalan ng lisensya ng POEA bakit ang lehitimong grupo pa ng OFW ang tinitira at ni hindi man lang pakinggan?" he said. [With all the agencies that they can suspend and revoke licenses, the POEA chose to punish a legitimate group whom they won’t even listen to] “I can even challenge the POEA to cancel or revoke (not just suspend) our license should they have any proof to show that we are [remiss] on our duties or have taken [advantage] on any migrant worker," he added. Moreover, he said that he has always put the concerns of OFWs above his. “Some of you [know] and have seen how I am putting my own life when it comes to the concerns of the OFWs and when there is a need to stand up on vital issues," he said in the e-mail. Following the events, he said that he could not help thinking that people like him get punished while the really greedy people get away with their evil doings. However, the POEA Adjudication Office told GMANews.TV on Thursday that they do not impose sanctions without basis. “Everything undergoes the process, they can check our records, " said Genevieve Ardiente of the POEA Adjudication Office Repatriation Unit. She said FMW failed to comply with the recommendation of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to repatriate two workers in Jeddah and one in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “We already sent them a notice. It’s just a matter of submitting their compliance," she said. Moreover, Ardiente pointed out they only suspended the agency’s document processing and not their license – which she said was in line with Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act of 1995. - GMANews.TV