Have you heard of a “third country” recruitment scheme? This illegal practice involves bringing in an overseas worker to another country with a promise that their tourist visa will be converted to a work visa.
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The Department of Migrant Workers(DMW), a department tasked to protect and promote the overseas workers welfare, has issued a warning to all overseas Filipino workers not to entertain social media posts of illegal recruiters about this scheme. There have been cases of possible human trafficking of Filipino nationals to Nigeria and other countries in West Africa.
Beware of Scammers in Other Countries
In a press release from DMW, the government agency calls on overseas Filipino workers to be careful of illegal recruiters and syndicates. The practice is that workers will be advised to get a tourist visa from one country and end up in West African countries, including Nigeria. Once there, they are tricked into believing that their legal papers will be processed.
However, according to DMW, this practice is called third country recruitment. If the recruiter or the employer does not have the proper authorization from the Philippine government, then it is an illegal transaction.
In fact, Filipinos have been arrested in Abuja and Lagos because they are violating immigration laws. In Nigeria, visitor visas cannot be converted into work visas. For those who want to work in this African country, they must get a Subject to Regularization (STR) visa from the Nigerian Embassy in the Philippines.
Most importantly, the DMW calls on Filipinos who want to work abroad to process their documents with legitimate recruitment agencies. By going this route, the workers are assured that they have protection from malpractice and other similar cases. If the worker relies on job openings found in social media posts, they may fall victims of such illegal schemes.
Finally, the DMW concludes by urging all those hoping to work abroad to be cautious with the recruitment agencies that process their applications. They are also reminded to report to DMW any unusual activities. For concerns such as illegal recruitment or human trafficking, they can get in touch with the DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau Facebook page or send an email to mwpb@dmw.gov.ph. Reports or legal assistance can also be sent to their hotline number at +63 2 8721-0619.
How to Safely Find Jobs Using the Internet
The website of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) listed some tips for job applicants who are looking for jobs using the internet.
First, you have to read the website carefully. It is also better to check the “About Us” page to know more about the company. You should also assess whether their company name and profile file is realistic.
Second, you should also assess the website design and navigation. According to POEA, a legitimate company will ensure that their site is presentable and easy to use for their clients.
Another tip would be to check whether the recruitment agency requires the applicant to fill up their resumes online or send them through the company email. If the agency requires the applicant to send their documents by post or a drop box, it could be a red flag.
Also, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. So don’t be lured by offers that are beyond industry standard.
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