BACOLOD City – The Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) has warned Negrenses against illegal recruiters on social media who try to lure their victims into working overseas.
“Do not be fooled by attractive job offers through the internet that require applicants to immediately pay for the visa, air-fair and processing costs because it is the employer’s responsibility to do so,” said Allan Ducusin of the CFO.
He said prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should not apply at agencies or entities such as consultancy firms, training centers, travel agencies and foundations that promise jobs abroad that are not licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
“They should not also deal with licensed agencies without approved job orders nor transact with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency,” he added.
He added that “transacting with a recruiter outside the registered address is prohibited.”
He noted that if the recruitment is done in the provinces or through job fairs, recruiters should have Special Recruitment Authority or Jobs Fair Authority.
“Better still, consult the local Public Employment Service Office,” he said.
Ducusin stressed that applicants should not pay more than one month as placement fee and there are countries that don’t charge placement fee, but applicants shoulder the cost of acquiring passport, pre-employment medical exams and trade test.
“Placement fee should only be paid after signing employment contract with an official receipt reflecting the actual amount paid,” he said.
Ducusin was recently in this city to conduct CFO’s annual campaign on migration. (With PIA/PN)
