EDITORIAL — If it’s too good to be true

Picking up from our editorial yesterday about human trafficking and what some government offices are doing --or doing badly-- to try and stop it, we would like to highlight how many of our countrymen can avoid becoming victims of criminal syndicates posing as legitimate employers abroad.

It’s simple, really; they should not take risks with vague or fishy promises of easy work abroad.

As is the trend right now, many Filipinos, lured by promises of work abroad, are leaving under the guise of being a tourist. After they arrive at their destination they often find themselves taken somewhere else and made to do something else, usually something involving criminal activity, whether it involves fraud, identity theft, or worse.

They are lucky if they get paid what they were promised...that’s if they get paid at all.

The best way to get a job abroad is still the legal way.

Yes, we understand that leaving the country for work the legitimate way isn’t cheap. There are placement fees to pay, among other expenses. Truth be told, one may actually expect to spend before they earn.

However, doing so comes with the assurance that the job promised is at least legitimate. Aside from this they will have proper records as Overseas Filipino Workers --as well as the attendant benefits that come with being one-- and the Philippine government can also assist them without any complications whenever they need help.

Illegal workers will not have any of those assurances, benefits, protections, or even records. Not only are they taking the risk that the work promised them will not be the one waiting for them at all, they are also gambling with their safety.

The risks of “quick employment” abroad just aren’t worth it.

In such instances it’s probably prudent to fall back on an old adage: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.