CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency-7 is now seeking means to solve the problem posed by the increasing number of firms that continue to scam people by promising employment abroad.
According to POEA-7 Regional Director Evelyn Durato, the number of immigration consultancy firms that ask for a large amount of money from potential clients in return of employment opportunities abroad are on the rise especially here in Cebu.
Durato explained that these companies are different from employment agencies that are accredited and provide employment for companies abroad.
She said that they had over 46 complainants just for one immigration consultancy firm that asked for a huge amount of money. Durato explained that she does not understand why these companies ask for amounts up to P90,000 when in fact they cannot provide employment in other countries.
"Their services are to give assistance to those who would want to migrate to countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand," she said.
Durato explained that some complainants were told they will leave for Canada or Australia with a student Visa and will be provided work training there. After which, they will have the chance to be elevated to a working visit pass.
But Durato said that this is not the process and with the amount being asked by these companies, they should already be assured of employment and proper working visas.
Durato said she already wrote to the office of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, reporting on the current rise of number of complainants in Cebu.
She said that these immigration consultancy firms are not under POEA and are said to be under CFO, although there is no exact regulation or law on this.
"It's high time somebody should regulate this," she said.
Durato said that she will also look into the possibility of seeking help from the city government to mitigate this problem in the city.
For the meantime, Durato said the public should be cautious.
She said that people actually know of the risks but they still take it because they are enticed by the opportunities promised abroad.
According to complainants, they were promised P60,000 a month for training alone, which Durato says is highly impossible for training allowance in these countries.
Durato said that the people should be very vigilant since they invest huge amounts of money. She said they should ask where their money will be spent on, a breakdown on the expenses and a receipt.
Meanwhile, the statistical and performance report of POEA for the month of January and February alone shows an increase of deployed workers in these months compared to the same months last year.
For the month of January this year, there were 7,596 workers deployed compared to last year's 5,496. For February this year, there were 11,311 deployed while last year there were 8,664. New hires and rehires also show an increase with 290 rehires and 6,954 rehires for January this year while last year's records show 161 and 5,170 respectively. For February this year, there were 458 new hires and 10,181 rehires while last year there were 268 new hires and 8,135 rehires.
Sea-based workers also showed an increase with 352 for January and 672 for February this year while last year showed 165 and 261 respectively. (FREEMAN)