Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac closes down a consultancy firm in Pasay City for alleged illegal recruitment of Filipino trailer truck drivers and warehouse workers to Poland.
The 11 Sea’s Immigration Services, disguising as consultancy firm, is neither licensed by the DMW to recruit and place Filipino workers overseas nor does it have any approved job orders.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) continues its relentless efforts to combat illegal recruitment activities, as it shuts down another consultancy firm, 11 Sea’s Immigration Services, for misleading Filipino job applicants with false promises of employment opportunities in Poland and Canada. Here are the key highlights of the incident:
Unauthorized Operations:
The DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), in collaboration with the Pasay City police, has closed down the office of 11 Sea’s Immigration Services, located at Unit 82, 3rd Floor, Welcome Plaza Mall, Taft Avenue in Pasay City. The firm operated without the requisite license from the DMW to recruit and place Filipino workers overseas and lacked approved job orders.
Warning to Job Applicants:
Hans Leo J. Cacdac, DMW Officer-in-Charge, reiterates the warning to prospective overseas Filipino job seekers, emphasizing the importance of verifying the legitimacy of consultancy firms through the official DMW website, which lists licensed agencies and approved job orders.
False Promises and Exorbitant Fees:
11 Sea’s Immigration Services deceived applicants with promises of employment as trailer truck drivers and warehouse workers in Poland, charging an exorbitant fee of Php 280,000 as an “all-in payment” for processing employment documents. Those unable to make the full payment were directed to their affiliated lending institution to secure a loan for the remaining balance.
The firm also purportedly offered employment opportunities in Canada, imposing a hefty processing fee nearing half a million pesos on prospective applicants and mandating them to undergo medical examinations at their accredited clinic.
Utilization of social media for Deceptive Practices:
The consultancy firm exploited social media platforms, particularly Facebook, as a conduit for advertising purported job vacancies in Poland, thereby enticing unsuspecting Filipino job seekers with false promises of overseas employment.
Legal Consequences and Support for Victims:
The closure of 11 Sea’s Immigration Services culminates in their inclusion in the DMW’s “List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record,” barring them from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program.
The firm and its personnel will face charges of illegal recruitment, underscoring the stringent measures employed by the DMW to safeguard the interests of Filipino migrant workers.
The DMW extends its support to the victims of 11 Sea’s Immigration Services, encouraging them to contact the MWPB through various channels, including their Facebook page, email, and hotline number, to avail of legal assistance in filing cases against the erring firm.
In summary, the closure of 11 Sea’s Immigration Services epitomizes the DMW’s unwavering commitment to protecting Filipino migrant workers from illegal recruitment schemes, underscoring the imperative for vigilance and due diligence among job seekers in verifying the legitimacy of overseas employment opportunities.
The DMW encourages the victims of 11 Sea’s Immigration Services to contact the MWPB through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip, email at [email protected] or through their hotline number +63 2 8721-0619 for legal assistance in filing cases against the firm.