Drive vs illegal recruitment intensified

CEBU, Philippines — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), together with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Central Visayas, is intensifying its initiatives to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Both agencies emphasized that proper dissemination of information about legal overseas employment processes will prevent individuals from falling victim to illegal recruiters.

“If a person really knows the info on how to properly apply for work abroad, it will generally solve illegal recruitment and labor human trafficking,” said Atty. Karl Frederick Arriola, officer-in-charge of DMW-7.

According to Arriola, their departments have partnered with licensed agencies to ensure that overseas jobs obtained through these agencies are legitimate and that all workers are properly documented.

OWWA-7 Regional Director Reynaldo Jacalan mentioned that there are approximately 300,000 to 400,000 documented members.

The DMW-7 projected that it will soon partner with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to prosecute illegal recruiters.

Inspections and consultations will also be conducted, including the closure of fraudulent agencies and the imprisonment of those responsible for labor trafficking.

In addition to prosecuting illegal recruiters, DMW is providing legal advice for OFWs affected by scams or exploitation.

“We give the proper legal advice if they want to prosecute or really push for the fight, we have a very good collaboration with (the) NBI...We will monitor these victims of scams kay mas nindot gud nato kung pila juy number of victims,” said Arriola.

Moreover, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning home prematurely or after completing their contracts can still seek justice for unresolved complaints against their foreign employers, even if they chose not to pursue legal action abroad.

According to Arriola, OFWs deployed through recruitment agencies are entitled to protection under the “Joint and Solidary Liability” policy.

This policy holds the recruitment agency accountable for the faults of the foreign employer. If an OFW files a complaint upon returning to the Philippines, a hearing will be conducted between the OFW and the licensed recruitment agency responsible for their deployment.

This ensures that the OFW receives proper representation and that recruitment agencies fulfill their obligations to the workers they send abroad. — (FREEMAN)