DMW orders closure of firm illegally deploying workers to Poland

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday shut down a consultancy firm operating in Makati City, for illegally recruiting Filipino workers for factory jobs in Poland.
 
The DMW through its Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) in coordination with the Makati police, padlocked the office located in Makati City.
 
Disguised as “Global Migration Trading,” the consultancy firm was actively recruiting and deploying workers without a valid DMW license, the government agency said. Workers were also being deployed using a tourist and student visa.
 
Applicants are also made to pay a processing fee of over P100,000. The said “processing” period could last up to a year and worse, applicants are also made to shoulder flight costs going to their destination.
 
“Malaking bagay po ito kasi ito yung tinatawag nating human trafficking eh. Nagpapalabas ng workers as tourists, walang OEC, hindi dumadaan sa DMW and then after that di natin alam kung kaninong employer mapupunta lalong-lalo na mga factory workers ito, itong mga nire-recruit nila. They are considered vulnerable workers," said DMW Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Bernard Olalia.

The owner of the firm admitted deploying 6 workers to Poland so far, and processing applicants without a license. 

She claimed that she is in the process of satisfying the required capitalization for a license as a recruitment agency.
 
“OFW din po ako galing Dubai… Nag-work ako sa Poland as factory worker… Gusto ko lang maka-share," she said.
 
The DMW will serve as complainant, while victims will stand as witnesses to charges of illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate against the consultancy firm. 

The said charge is punishable by life imprisonment and fines ranging from P2 million to P5 million.
 
The officers and personnel of the firm will also be included in the DMW’s "List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record" and will be blacklisted from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program.
 
The DMW urges other illegal recruitment victims to contact the MWPB through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip and through their email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph.
 
Olalia reminded applicants to only deal with licensed recruitment agencies.