An anti-illegal recruitment task force must be revived to pin down agencies who promise non-existent jobs in the UAE.
The Filipino community here recently urged officials in Manila to resuscitate the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
Officials told Gulf News fly-by-night job brokers are on a recruitment binge of workers to the UAE, especially from the Philippine provinces, away from the prying eyes of regulators.
Apparent, illegal job brokers also earn through commissions given by employers aside from placement fees they charge from workers.
Most of their recruits end up in low-paid jobs. Sometimes they are left to fend for themselves as soon as they land in the UAE.
"These smooth talkers are minting money from placement fees coughed up by unsuspecting recruits who are promised well-paying jobs here," a Philippine labour official here said.
But the budget for anti-illegal recruitment task force which varies between 5 million pesos and 12 million pesos a year was suddenly scrapped last year.
The branch has sent more than 70 illegal recruiters to jail since 1992. It used to be composed of POEA lawyers, agents from the police Criminal Investigation Division and the National Bureau of Investigation under the Department of Justice.
Aside from setting entrapment operations against illegal recruiters, the branch also provides free legal services to OFW victims. "Overseas workers are considered heroes who need to be protected from some villains especially illegal recruiters. I wonder why the branch was not given enough importance in the budget," said Carlos Bacho, head of anti-corruption group Bayanikasan.
Many victims who landed in Dubai have also complained of illegal extortion, having paid placement fees of between 75,000 pesos to 100,000 pesos.
Job recruiters are only allowed to charge fees equivalent to a one-month salary of workers plus 5,000 pesos. Illegal exaction falls under the category of illegal recruitment.
Migrant workers' advocates and NGOs are also lobbying for the task force's revival.
"The best way to solve this problem is for President Gloria Arroyo to issue an executive order extending the life of the task force and providing funds for it. She should not have second thoughts about protecting the country's main dollar earners," said Dick Orense, a leader of Bicol Anom group.
Ernesto Refogio, president of Overseas Filipino Civil Engineers Association in Dubai, said the lobby should include OFWs emailing their respective Congressmen to continue funding for the task force.
ON VIGIL
Helping Filipinos avoid illegal recruiters
The anti-illegal recruitment branch of POEA has sent more than 70 illegal recruiters to jail.
Some cases handled by POEA were dismissed when plaintiffs themselves either disappeared or settled the cases with the recruiters.
Many plaintiffs who have no time to appear or testify, especially when they have another opportunity to go abroad again, leave their cases behind, letting many illegal recruiters off the hook.
Private job placement agencies face life imprisonment if they are proven to have engaged in large-scale or syndicated illegal recruitment.
Administrative charges are also filed against licensed agencies, which entails either the suspension or cancellation of their licenses.
Gulf News
