Avoiding Illegal Recruitment - Overseas Job Vacancies

The paraphrase of former POEA Administrator Tomas D. Achacoso, “Illegal recruitment is one of the most detestable crimes a Filipino can commit to another Filipino. It so debases a man that victims including their kin suffer in the consequent loss of face and properties and possible ostracism in the community. It is a crime that has brought about misery to thousand of innocent victims and their families”.

Every year hundreds of victims suffer financially and emotionally while the perpetrator enjoys the loot of their crimes. Some come forward and complain others (true Filipino trait) remain silent in shame. Illegal recruitment has caused some families to break up. Criminal cases crop up as a result of non-payment of loans obtained to settle placement fees for non-existing jobs abroad. Others had gone to the highlands and joined leftist group rather than face their creditors and be subjected to humiliation by friends, neighbors and even family members.

To avoid becoming a victim of illegal recruitment always keep in mind the following:

1. Do not apply at recruitment agencies not licensed by POEA.
2. Do not deal with licensed agencies without job orders.
3. Do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency.
4. Do not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority.
5. Do not pay more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs.
6. Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt.
7. Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to a Post Office (P.O.) Box, and to enclose payment for processing of papers.
8. Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment.
9. Do not accept a tourist visa.
10. Do not deal with fixers.

Detailed instruction what to do if in case you become a victim of this fraudulent act can be found at the www.poea.gov. PCTC also provided useful information about illegal recruitment so don’t forget to check it out.

Always keep in mind the keyword is to recognize what is genuine or what is not.

Below are some useful links to check overseas job vacancies (very useful for job seekers out there)updated regularly just verify with the corresponding agency the status of the job order:

Overseas Job Vacancy by Position
Overseas Job Vacancy by Country
Overseas Job Vacancy by Agency