Many Filipinos aspire to work abroad for better career opportunities and ultimately a brighter future for themselves and their families. However, this ambition also comes with the risk of falling victim to illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
To protect Filipino workers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, a government agency tasked to monitor and supervise overseas recruitment and deployment of Filipino workers, enforces strict regulations. But for this to be successful, cooperation and vigilance among Filipino workers and their families is also required.
Here are ten crucial reminders from POEA to help fight against illegal recruitment and secure a legitimate employment abroad.
Verify the legitimacy of recruitment agency
Some Filipinos receive unsolicited invitation to work abroad through friends and close associates who are not aware about the legitimacy of the recruiter nor existence of such jobs. This often led to unfortunate outcomes such as becoming trafficked, unpaid wages or other forms of abuse from employers.
Therefore, it’s very important first step to verify if the job exists. One way to do it is to reach out to POEA through its website or call their hotline 8722-11-44 and 8722-11-55 to check out an agency’s accreditation. Further to that is to check if the contact is an authorized representative to recruit workers and not an impostor misrepresenting the agency.
Be wary when dealing with recruiters who do not have a physical office address or those who operate only through social media.
Do not pay excessive placement fees
Going abroad is an investment of time and money, but the money part should not cost an arm and leg before someone flies abroad to start their OFW journey. POEA regulates the amount agencies can charge as placement fees.
The placement fee is based on the salary stated in the employment contract verified by POEA, to be paid after it is signed and a BIR-registered receipt shall be issued by the agency afterwards.
Placement fees are also not required for some jobs such as domestic workers and countries that don’t allow collection of such fees such as New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States under H2B visa.
Violators are subject to POEA penalties such as cancellation of the agency’s license to operate.
Secure a valid job offer
To verify that the job exist and recruitment of workers is ongoing, an applicant needs to check that job order is active. A job order is a verified request from an overseas employer and approved by POEA.
Job order listings are posted on the POEA website. Do not accept job offers without checking if the position is listed in the POEA job order database.
Recruiters who cannot show proof of an approved job order may be operating illegally and only out to collect fees for jobs that don’t exist. So it’s best to err on the side of caution and press for this requirement or be prepared to walk away from this alleged job opportunity for abroad.
Avoid direct hiring unless exempted
Most overseas jobs for Filipino workers go through POEA-accredited recruitment agencies to ensure that Filipino workers deployed are protected under legal employment contracts, safe working conditions and fairly compensated.
While there are a few exemptions where Filipino workers can be hired directly by foreign employers — such as government-to-government agreements or highly skilled professionals directly hired – they are not automatic and still require POEA approval.
This approval process exists to verify the legitimacy of employer and that the workers are protected from possible abuse or exploitation.
Even if an employer claims they can hire directly, check with POEA first to avoid potential risk such as contact violation or maltreatment under false job promises.
Never sign blank or incomplete contracts
An employment contract is a legally binding document that both employer and worker need to abide by. Before signing any employment contract, carefully review its content so it covers all essential details such as job description, workplace premises and working hours.
It must also include details such as monthly salary, vacation entitlements, insurance coverage and other benefits that a worker is entitled to.
Never sign a blank or incomplete contract, as dishonest employers may later fill in unfair terms that could leave you underpaid, overworked, or even trapped in exploitative conditions.
A POEA-approved contract guarantees that these terms meet legal labor standards and prevent unfair practices such as underpayment or removal of benefits once the worker commenced employment. Always ensure that your contract has been verified by POEA before committing to a job offer.
Attend the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar
The PEOS is a mandatory seminar composed of eight modules covering a range of topics relevant to Filipino workers prior to their departure to begin their jobs abroad.
Such topics include general information on working overseas and country information, documentation procedures such as securing overseas employment certificate, approved and government-mandated fees, avoiding scams and illegal recruitment, and how to seek help from the Department of Migrant Workers and its satellite offices.
By being informed of legal recruitment processes, common scams, workers’ rights, and the responsibilities of both employers and employees, you can make safer decisions and avoid falling victim to illegal recruiters.
Ignore job offers that are too good to be true
If a job offer is too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers and illegal recruiters love to trap unwitting job seekers with promises of jobs with extremely high salary even if they possess little to no qualification to match the position.
Be cautious if the hiring process is too quick: legitimate employers require due diligence to evaluate and screen applications, arrange various rounds of interviews, and documentation before offering a job.
A major red flag is when a recruiter or employer applies pressure for you to pay upfront fees immediately, claiming this is for “processing” or “reservation” without issuing official receipts. Say no to a recruiter who promise a proper working visa will be issued once you arrive in your country of destination using a tourist visa or avail of visa-free entry privileges.
Do not rush into accepting an offer without doing a proper research – verify the company’s legitimacy, check if they are licensed to recruit Filipino workers, and validate the company’s claim with a job order from POEA.
Transact only with licensed recruitment agencies at their office addresses
Always transact with recruitment agents and representatives at their official offices. Never do so in public places like shopping malls, restaurants or private homes as licensed employment agencies transact at their offices. Scammers often avoid formal settings so their victims find it hard to verify their legitimacy and to make it easier to vanish once they have received payment for jobs that don’t exist.
Be extra cautious if the recruiter insists on handling the transaction through social media, text messages or calls without showing official paperwork. A real job comes with transparency through verifiable documents, printed contracts and clear legal processes. Otherwise, never proceed with a transaction if you detect something suspicious.
Know your rights as an overseas Filipino worker
As an OFW, you are entitled to rights that are protected by the Philippine government through POEA, and international labor laws. These protections ensure that you receive fair treatment and free from abuse.
Additionally, you will have access to vital support from the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, which are there to assist you in case of issues with your employer or work situation.
By understanding these rights, you can better recognize any illegal employment practices and report them promptly, ensuring that you are not taken advantage of while working abroad.
Be proactive to understand and defend your rights to stay safe and secure during your overseas employment.
Report illegal recruitment activities immediately
For the sake of other potential victims of suspected illegal recruiters, report any signs of deception to proper authorities. You can contact the following:
• POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
• Philippine National Police (PNP) or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
Common mistakes job applicants make
There are various forms of illegal recruitment, but the three most commonly observed practices are the following:
Trusting unauthorized agents
Many job applicants fall victim to scams by trusting agents who are not licensed or accredited by POEA, putting them at risk of fraud. Failing to verify an agent’s credentials can lead to job offers that are either non-existent or unsafe.
Relying on verbal agreements
Recruiters who promise without a written contract leaves workers vulnerable to manipulation. Without proper documentation, it’s easy for terms to be changed or ignored, leading to unfair working conditions.
Skipping due diligence checks
Failing to thoroughly research the employer or recruitment agency can result in accepting job offers from illegitimate sources. Skipping this important step can expose workers to unsafe jobs and even human trafficking.
Conclusion
Illegal recruitment is a significant danger to Filipino workers seeking opportunities abroad. A single mistake can quickly escalate, leading to a ruined future and lost opportunities. By following POEA’s guidelines, you can protect yourself from scams and ensure a rewarding overseas job experience.