Filipinos in UAE warned against ‘cross-country’ employment

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PHOTO BY EXPAT MEDIA

Filipinos in UAE warned against ‘cross-country’ employment

The Migrant Workers Office (MWO)-Dubai and the Northern Emirates urged Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to deal only with licensed Philippine recruitment agencies for employment, while warning Filipinos in the UAE against “cross-country” employment.

The MWO reiterated an advisory from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) urging Filipinos to only sign work agreements with recruitment agencies accredited by the POEA.

“This is to ensure that OFWs are properly documented and that their rights and welfare are protected by the Philippines and the host country where they are deployed in,” Labor Attache John Rio Bautista said in a statement.

Bautista reiterated a reminder to OFWs that cross-country recruitment or hiring of overseas workers for employment outside their job site is highly discouraged by the Department of Migrant Workers.

“Third-country recruitment or cross-country employment is done by agencies, entities, and/or individuals who do not hold the appropriate license to recruit and place workers for overseas employment,” Bautista said.

“Workers who use this kind of service face the risk of being charged with exorbitant recruitment fees, unfair labor practices and fraudulent employment opportunities, among others,” he added.

Under this scheme, recruiters lure employed OFWs with fake job offers in another country and charge them exorbitant fees for the processing of visas, documents, and requirements.

In the process, OFWs leave their current employers and break their employment contract only to find out upon reaching the host country that the supposed job vacancies do not exist.

“OFWs are cautioned to avoid recruitment services offered by third-party entities and be wary of the adverse effects of cross-country employment practices as these will bring more harm than good,” Bautista said. RZSP/Expat Media

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