THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday, August 18, 2023, warned aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against unscrupulous individuals posing as having the capability to help them be deployed abroad as direct hires.
In its Advisory No. 20-2023, DMW Acting Secretary Bernard Olalia said the public is being warned against being duped by the said scammers offering assistance and advice on how they can be deployed as direct hires.
"The public is hereby warned of proliferating Facebook chats/ groups intended for direct hire applicants giving inaccurate and misleading advice/information on the process to secure exemptions from the ban on direct hiring from the DMW," said Olalia.
"The public is informed that these groups were not created nor endorsed by the DMW," it added.
Olalia said the advisory is being issued as the Department has received reports that certain groups have been scamming some applicants in the guise of giving unsolicited advice and even demanding a certain amount of money in exchange for their services.
He said the groups are also reportedly offering services to the applicants by providing "assistance" to be able to secure clearance under the direct hiring facility of the Department.
"Said 'assistance' are usually not in line with the legal way of the direct hire process," Olalia said.
The DMW urged the public to report such scammers to the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau at 87221192; or email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph; or call 87221177 PEGPB Direct line.
Direct hires are OFWs that are employed overseas sans going through licensed employment/recruitment agencies.
The Labor Code of the Philippines as well as the Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-based Overseas Filipino Workers prohibit the direct hiring of an OFW.
Under existing DMW rules, employers exempted from the ban on direct hiring of OFWs are members of the diplomatic corps; international organizations; and heads of state and government officials with the rank of at least deputy minister.
Also covered by the exemption are employers of professionals with duly executed verified/authenticated contracts containing terms and conditions over and above the standards set by the DMW; and permanent residents of the host country, who are hiring relatives/family members. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)