Tips in dealing with recruitment agencies

A recruitment agency is manpower or staffing firm that recruits, assesses, trains, and deploys Workers. It helps its members get a job by finding employers for them. Aside from getting employer, it also takes care of processing papers for the convenience of job applicants. On the other hand, illegal recruiters are all around ready to trick applicants. They usually target unsuspecting applicants coming from the provinces. Often, fake recruiters offer great salaries, good working conditions and unbelievable benefits. Be aware. Don’t be a victim! Dealing with illegal recruiters 1. Contact the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Website: www.poea.gov.ph Hotlines: 722-1144 / 722-1155 2. Ask for Job Order. 3. If you discovered an illegal recruiter report to POEA at once. File your complaints at the Legal Assistance Division at the 4th Floor of POEA Building or you can report to nearest POEA/DOLE regional office or NBI, PNP, Police Authorities in your area. Dealing with recruitment agencies 1. Do not apply at recruitment agencies unlicensed by POEA. 2. Do not deal with licensed agencies without job orders. 3. Do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency. 4. Do not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority. 5. Do not pay more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs. 6. Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt. 7. Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to a Post Office (P.O.) Box and to enclose payment for processing of papers. 8. Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment. 10. Do not accept a tourist visa. 11. Do not deal with fixers. Source: Joyce Anne Agacer, OFWGudie (http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=249)