"Illegal Recruitment, Menace of the Society"
Courtesy of: International Skill Development, Inc.

To paraphrase 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.

Campaign against illegal recruitment has been one of the major activities of several offices of the government. DOLE and POEA, the front-runner of this campaign, including Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation vigorously joined forces together to fight and eradicate illegal recruitment activities. Are they successful? The answer would be, no. Illegal recruitment cases maybe lesser in numbers as compared in the 80's, but this not necessarily mean illegal recruitment has been eradicated. Illegal recruiters are still out there waiting for innocent dreamers of high paying job.

But how to eradicate illegal recruitment? Illegal recruitment has been with us for so long yet it seems that not much has been done about it. We all know that illegal recruitment is a crime. But why let ourselves be a victim after all? Is it because we want to gamble, win and take it all? Or it is a simple failure on our part to recognize what is genuine and what is not.

The keywords are failure to recognize what is genuine and what is not. No person in his right mind would like to be gypped. Walang taong gustong maloko.

Illegal recruitment is pure and simple "Pangloloko" and illegal recruiters are con artists and masters in the art of fraud and cheating.

Therefore the best way to eradicate illegal recruitment is for us to recognize what is genuine and what is not.

Who Performs Illegal Recruitment?

Illegal recruitment activities are being practiced by the following:

4Illegal Recruiters
4Unlicensed Recruitment Agencies
4Unscrupulous Licensed Agencies

How to Spot an Illegal Recruiters?

4He is a sweet talker. Magandang magsalita.
4He had worked abroad. Kahit hindi.
4He knows somebody in the POEA, DFA, Embassy, Recruitment Agency, etc.
4He sports fancy and expensive jewelries.
4He conducts his recruitment activities in a restaurant or similar establishment.
4He is always seen in the provinces looking for victims accompanied by local
   accomplices.
4He offers very high salary, good accommodation, and other superior employment
   terms, which you cannot resist.
4He will accompany you in a recruitment agency, leave you in the waiting area, enter
   the main office and re-appear after several minutes and tell you "ayan pare, ok ka na.
   Lalakad ka na next week". For all you know, he merely asked some questions inside
   not related to your application.
4He will ask for initial payment for processing of your papers and tells you, you can
   leave one week after paying in full and further tells you, "pare, puede ka nang mag
   padespedida".
4More likely he will contradict his previous statements on the status of your 
   processing.

How to Detect Unlicensed Recruitment Agencies

4Look for POEA issued stickers. All licensed agencies are issued one and required to
   be posted in conspicuous place, in front door or windows of the office. Make sure this
   is validated for the current year.
4Call POEA Licensing and Regulation Division at telephone numbers 721-0650 & 721-
   9498 and check status and validity of the license. They might have license but has
   been suspended for some irregularities.

How to Detect Unscrupulous Licensed Agencies

4They handle your passporting requirements and charge your exorbitant fees
4They collect medical fee and send you to the clinic
4They charge you for your application form
4They will never issue you a receipt for your payment
4They will ask initial payment of your placement fee
4They charge more than what is legal (One month salary)

How to Avoid Being a Victim

4Never deal with any person posing us a recruiter, even though he is a friend or acquaintance.
4Never apply with unlicensed agencies.
4Do your passporting yourself. Do not entrust this to an agent. Makakatipid ka pa.
4Don not pay until you sign your employment contract.
4Always demand for a receipt for all your payments.
4Do not transact business or officer of a licensed agency outside their office.

What to do if you become a Victim

4File a formal complaint with the police authorities
4Advise POEA accordingly
4File a case against the perpetrator
4Do not desist from or lose interest in pursuing your case against the illegal recruiter
   even though he reimbursed you partially or in whole. You can make the difference.
   The next victims might be your friends or relatives.
 

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