THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Friday, January 24, warned aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of illegal recruitment schemes for bogus jobs in Poland.
In a statement, POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said there are unscrupulous individuals who are looking to take advantage of the announced high demand for skilled workers in the said country.
"POEA reminds Filipinos seeking jobs in Poland to be cautious of illegal recruiters," said Olalia.
"POEA urges the Filipino overseas job seekers to be vigilant over suspected illegal recruitment schemes and activities," he added.
The POEA issued the warning after the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) in Geneva, which has jurisdiction over Poland, reported a scheme, wherein prospective job applicants are made to sign contracts in the Philippines and are charged with exorbitant fees for their visa appearance in Malaysia.
Olalia said Polo Geneva reported that there are OFWs, who pay at least P269,000 to their Philippine recruiters, with some even borrowing money from lending agencies referred by the recruiters at usurious interests.
The victims are deployed but are without guaranteed regular employment in Poland.
Back in November, Polo Geneva Labor Attache Cheryl Daytec already recommended the suspension of the processing of papers of OFWs bound for Poland.
Daytec's recommendation to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is based on the growing number of runaway OFWs in Poland, which was already at 135 as of October 9, 2019.
Interviews with runaway OFWs revealed irregularities such as contract substitution, bad working conditions, unjust termination, and expired visas, Daytec related. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)