The Philippine Bureau of
Investigation (BI) has linked thirteen government-accredited recruitment
agencies to human trafficking activities. The recent interception of
forty-seven prospective Filipino workers who were found using fraudulent
documents led to the revelation of the “modus operandi” of these agencies.
Siegfried Mison, Immigration Commissioner, said that the individuals were bound
for the United Arab Emirates and were to go to Lebanon and Jordan to work as
domestic helpers. Mison has requested the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) to suspend the recruitment license of the following:
Trustworthy
International Manpower Corporation,
Experts Placement
Agency, Inc.,
Chosen Divine Mercy
Manpower Services Corporation,
Dobim International
Manpower Services,
Zareiko Productions
Inc.
Ridzkey Human
Resources International Services,
Dolma International
Placement Corporation,
Inter-Globe
Manpower and Consultancy Services Incorporated,
Caz International
Incorporated,
Dream Fame
International Manpower Corporation,
Tibiao Antique
Manpower Agency Your Overseas,
Neostar
International Manpower Services,
SMK International
Agency Incorporated.
These agencies
“continue to operate despite also being involved in trafficking and illegal
documents” according to Mison. The offloaded OFWs had presented travel
documents that include overseas employment certificates (OECs) that indicate
they were to work in the UAE in a variety of professions such as assembler,
barista and salesperson among others. Government authorities have always warned
those who wish to work abroad of the dangers of accepting fraudulent and
reprocessed work documents because many end up with abusive employers or are
forced into prostitution. Mison said “tourist workers” depart the country
pretending to be tourists but are actually being deployed as laborers.
Full account
available at: