WAYS TO AVOID ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT
A reminder from POEA and DOLE and the succeeding comments is
from OFW Connect author.
> Do not apply at recruitment agency not
authorized by POEA.
But it's not because they're authorized you'll now fully trust them,
I have a fellow OFW who was tricked by authorized agency, yes they
issued him a receipt required by POEA which is one month salary, but
actually he paid three times the amount but issued receipt is less
than what he has paid! I asked this fellow why he agreed and I also
told him that what had happened to him is also his fault.
> Do not deal with licensed agencies without
job order.
If you're paying for the service of the agent who gives you the "job",
make sure job really exists. Usually, the employer or his representative
will come to Philippines to conduct an interview, so if there's no
any interview, you should take an extra care.
> Do not deal with any person who is not
an authorized representative of a licensed agency.
Make sure the person you're dealing with is an authorized agent.
Don't be mislead by those fixers or people approaching you on the
street, or while you're in cofee shops, riding in a bus and other
situation. They could be real agent but they can't be as well. So
it's better to check their authenticity. If they give their contact,
try to call the telephone numbers or visit the given address without
letting them know. Ask around if other applicant knows the name of
the agency or the agent himself.
> Do not transact business outside the registered
address of the Agency.
They could be an agent, but a former one. Yes, they've given you
their address, you called and they really exist. May applicants knows
them but maybe he or she is not working there anymore that's why she's
dealing outside the registered address. It's just a simple common
sense.
> If the Agency has a provincial office,
check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority.
Just call the main or the POEA to check them.
> Do not pay more than the allowed placement
fee.
The right agency don't ask too much placement fee from the applicant
because the employers also pays them when supplied by worker which
is more than what the applicant has paid..
> Placement fee should only be equal to
one month salary exclusive of documentation and other misc fees.
Make sure you know how much you'll be getting, this one month salary
is just the basic salary. If your employers gives additional allowance
such as food, housing and transportation it is not included as additional
value to your placement fee.
> Do not pay any placement fee unless you
have a verified and valid contract and a receipt.
Be interviewed by the employer or his represenative, viewed the contract,
you already know your salary and benefits before you pay any cash,
and always ask for the receipt equivalent to what you have paid.
> Do not response to ads or brochures that
gives a PO Box address.
Another common sense, don't even response, if they just give a telephone
number.
> Do not enclose processing fees in a letter.
You dont have any common sense if you're going to do this. So don't
do this most of all.
> Do not deal with training centers and
travel agency who promise overseas employment.
Some can really help you but most of them don't. Some Immigration
consultants is one of them. They can also help you but you shouldn't
trust all of them. Actually, they're just guiding you and inform you
on how to migrate and to inform you about the present economy of the
country that you're planning to migrate. The best thing that you should
do is to visit the foreign country's immigration site. From there,
you'll know everything about their policy and if your profession is
in-demand to that country.
> Do not accept tourist Visa.
Well, if you're not sure that it's the best thing to do. Don't accept
tourist Visa or left the country without any VISA if your purpose
is to find work abroad. Some people manage to enter foreign country
and get a job after obtaining a Tourist VISA.
I don't encourage people to accept Tourist VISA because it's risky
to some other strict nation such as US, Japan and Canada but just
in case you've already accepted this, here is just my comment -
Make sure your Tourist VISA is really a VISA, not fake or not just
a copy stamped in your passport. Foreign immigration doesn't punish
people entering their country if you're just a Tourist Visa holder.
Remember that the most important thing when going overseas is to have
a valid VISA rather than nothing.
Now, as a Tourist VISA holder, you're not allowed to work. But if
you get the job, make sure your employer secures your permit or the
working visa to work legally.
You should only carry Tourist VISA if you have some close relatives
who can help you when you reach your destination. But if no one, it's
not advisable. Plus, make sure you have enough funds to support yourself
and to travel back in Philippines in case you need to leave the foreign
country.
> Do not deal with fixers.
Some fixers really help but most of them are crooks, I'll not say
that they're all bad. Some of them will help you without too much
in return but most of them will collect above-the-head payment from
you. Most of the time, they're giving you FAKE documents, but there
are some who don't do this. So make sure you know the person your
asking for a favor.
(This
information from Philippine Government's Department or Offices is
for General Public access intended to inform Filipino Overseas Workers,
their beneficiaries and other Filipino citizens, if you need more
details, please visit their website or physical office.)
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