OFW Journals (OFW Stories on the News) and Some OFW Employment, Career & Business Tips

WAYS TO AVOID ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT

A reminder from POEA and DOLE (with some explanation by OFW-C 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, there's 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!

> 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.

We 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.