TRAVEL and consultancy agencies are not authorized to recruit workers for abroad, an officer of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration stressed Thursday.

Legal officer Ferdinand Jose Merrera of the POEA regional office advised the public to refrain from transacting with such agencies since, he said, they do not have any authority to recruit people for overseas employment.

He told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ that a case is being heard now in Baguio City against a travel and consultancy agency for such violation. He said in Dagupan City, some travel agencies are also being monitored amid reports they also conduct recruitment activities.

A streamer by a certain travel and consultancy firm announcing similar recruitment scheme was seen posted at a restaurant along Arellano street.

Merrera noted that some people are easily deceived by the sweet promises of illegal recruiters despite continued information campaign against illegal recruitment.

He warned the public not to part with their money as alleged downpayment for placement and processing fees on the promise of an early processing of their papers by such recruiters.

“Pag sinabing makaalis agad, magduda na,”( If they say you can leave immediately for abroad, start doubting ) he advised, referring to the co-called direct hiring scheme which takes a longer processing time.

“Pag sinabing inaayos ang papeles kahit lumampas na ng 90 days or three months, magduda na rin,” (If they say the papers are still under processing even after 90 days or three months has passed, also start being doubtful)) he said, explaining that processing of papers by recruitment agencies usually takes 90 days.

He also clarified that all overseas placements have to pass thru the POEA for the issuance of overseas employment certificate (OEC) which will serve as exit pass or ticket to the airport. Even placements under the so-called direct hire or name hire system should undergo POEA scrutiny and approval, he said.

On the prevailing practice of pre-termination of employment by employers in Hong Kong as well as Singapore, he said that the problem was traced to the “Get 1 Take 1” promo or practice by principal agencies from those areas to the disadvantage of Filipino domestic helps.

Some DH were dismissed by their employers after only three days, some after two to three months, it was gathered. Some employers dismiss the new recruit even just after arrival.

With recruitment agencies charging as much as P80,000 without official receipts, the poor overseas worker whose contracts were prematurely terminared could come home penniless and worried about how to repay the money usually borrowed from relatives.

Legally, a new recruit has to spend some P30,00 to P40,000 for the processing of his papers, Merrera said.

Recruitment agencies and their principals abroad do not spend anything for overseas placements because they simply overcharge their recruits by as much as double or triple the actual legal fees

“Lahat ng gastos ipinapataong sa mga recruits nila,” (All their expenses are charged to their recruits), he said.