Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Erring legal job firms face heavy sanctions
A TOP official of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) warned erring recruitment agencies, especially those registered with the agency, they would be meted with the full force of the law.
"Sanctions can range from the payment of damages to suspension of their permits, or worst, the cancellation of their permits," Carolina Agdamag, officer-in-charge of POEA Regional Center for Mindanao, said in an interview Monday.
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Agdamag added that the complaining overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) could seek legal assistance with their office. "After they have filed their complaints, a series of hearings will be set, then a decision will be rendered," Agdamag said.
The officer-in-charge also said the gravity of the violation will determine the sanction to be imposed.
"There are categories that have to be followed in the imposition of sanctions," Agdamag said.
However, Agdamag said that in most complaints against illegal recruiters, the complainants refuse to pursue the case once they are able to retrieve the money that they have invested.
As a precautionary measure, Agdamag said that before embarking into a contract with a recruitment agency, they must first check or visit the POEA office whether a particular recruitment agency is duly registered or not.
Agdamag's reaction was sought after Sun.Star received information that several overseas workers intend to sue a registered job placement agency for defrauding them when they were recruited for jobs abroad. (CPM)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 1, 2008 issue)
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