Illegal recruitment of Filipino migrants remains a huge problem, says OWWA

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Saturday said illegal recruitment of Filipino migrant workers remains a huge challenge as recruiters shift to social media to woo victims.In a Saturday news forum, OWWA Administrator Patricia Caunan said criminals have also used “third country hiring” or having foreigner accomplices in the country where recruited workers are eventually sent.“They are not targeting just the OFWs or Filipinos in the Philippines, they are targeting Filipinos who are abroad. Nagyayabang pa sila sa TikTok na ‘walang jurisdiction sa akin ang DMW,” Caunan said.(They even brag on TikTok that DMW has no jurisdiction over them)She said the illegal recruiters collect up to P1 million to find the potential migrant workers jobs. “Hindi niyo kailangan magbayad ng ganyan, please po, magtulungan tayo.&quot;(You don&#x27;t have to pay that much. Please, let&#x27;s work together) <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/2/dmw-probing-illegal-recruitment-scheme-in-south-korea-program-1202">DMW probing illegal recruitment scheme in South Korea’s seasonal workers program for OFWs</a></div>Caunan warned that illegally-recruited Filipinos are not OWWA members and would not get direct benefits from their employers and government agencies.The OWWA chief vowed to focus on eradicating the possibility of Filipinos being illegally recruited to become scam hub workers, citing efforts to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).She said part of that work is reminding Filipinos there is a process for working abroad.Caunan said they are also monitoring cases where Filipinos were illegally recruited in Cambodia to work in casinos that eventually turned out to be a scam hub.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/16/why-are-scammers-still-thriving-in-southeast-asia-1716">Why are scammers still thriving in Southeast Asia?</a></div>“Pease contact us immediately – ang OWWA at DMW para matulungan natin nang mabilis ang ating mga kababayan,” she said.(Please contact us immediately — OWWA and DMW — so we can send help fast)OWWA, DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs conduct repatriation efforts for  victims, she said, with the help of Philippine embassies.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Saturday admitted that illegal recruitment of Filipino migrant workers remains a huge challenge in their agency, as many illegal recruiters have already shifted to social media to woo victims.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Saturday admitted that illegal recruitment of Filipino migrant workers remains a huge challenge in their agency, as many illegal recruiters have already shifted to social media to woo victims.

Illegal recruitment of Filipino migrants still a huge problem, says OWWA | ABS-CBN

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Illegal recruitment of Filipino migrants still a huge problem, says OWWA

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 17, 2025 01:24 PM PHT

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Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

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Illegal recruitment

Scam hub

Patricia Caunan

Migrant workers

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