Dole warns vs bogus online jobs

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the province has reiterated its warning against the proliferation of bogus online job offers, stressing that it would be better for jobseekers to go to the government's portal for employment and skills matching.

The country's main online portal, the Phil-Jobnet system (www.phil-job.net), has been strengthened following President Benigno Aquino III's 22-point labor and employment agenda.

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Jobseekers, including students and fresh graduates, are encouraged to continue training and upgrading their skills to successfully land fitting jobs offered in the portal rather than spend money on dubious online job offers.

Dole Regional Director Manuel Roldan earlier urged Ilonggos searching for work through the Internet to be more cautious due to the rampant cases of bogus internet job offers. "They should be wary of attractive jobs offered by employers or their agents that ask them to remit a certain amount of money allegedly to pay for the processing of their visas or work permits and other travel-related expenses."

"Applicants should not also rely on scanned documents sent by email such as employment contract and appointment letters as most of these are found to be forged or fabricated," he added.

To ascertain the authenticity of job orders, employment contracts and the legitimacy of employers, jobseekers are advised to check with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) at (033) 336-8611 or log on to its website at www.poea.gov.ph.

The Dole, meanwhile, said there are 61,548 vacancies of all types, both local and overseas, currently posted by employers in the Phil-jobnet. It also carried online some 7,127 skills for hire on a variety of labor skills. (Chery G. Cruz)