Firm illegally sending OFWs to Poland padlocked

MANILA, Philippines — For reportedly illegally sending overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Poland, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shut down yesterday a consultancy firm in Makati.

In coordination with the Makati police, the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau padlocked the office of BELMÜN in Bel-Air Salcedo Village.

According to DMW, BELMUN has been recruiting and deploying workers abroad without a valid license.

“This is a serious offense committed by BELMUN,” DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said.

Olalia said the DMW would intensify the campaign against unlicensed companies recruiting and deploying Filipino workers abroad.

Based on investigation, the DMW said BELMUN is allegedly sending job applicants to Poland in partnership with “POEA”-registered agencies.

The consultancy firm reportedly charges prospective applicants P165,000 for processing the worker’s employment documents, work permit, visa and referrals to foreign partner agencies.

Applicants are required to pay an initial fee of P56,000 for the processing of work permits, with the remaining balance to be paid upon issuance of the work permit.

The waiting time for the processing of documents could last up to one year and applicants will have to shoulder transportation costs going to their destination country, according to Olalia.

The DMW said officers and personnel of BELMUN are facing charges of illegal recruitment and fines of up to P5 million as well as possible life in prison.

The company will be blacklisted from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program, the DMW said.

Olalia urged other victims of illegal recruitment to file complaints against BELMÜN or Global Migration Training.