By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) cautioned Filipinos who are looking to apply for work in Malta against unscrupulous individuals offering jobs in the said country.
In POEA Advisory No. 53-2018 dated Nov. 22 and released Tuesday, the agency revealed that several schemes are being used by illegal recruiters in sending OFWs to Malta including unauthorized recruitment, third country hiring, contract substitution, and excessive placement fees.
“All Filipinos, who are seeking employment opportunities in Malta are reminded to exercise caution and avoid recruitment schemes by unscrupulous individuals and entities, who are undermining both Maltese and Philippine laws to exact money from their victims,” the POEA said.
The agency advised would-be OFWs to seek employment only through government-licensed Philippine Recruitment Agencies (PRAs).
“All are hereby advised to transact only with duly licensed PRA with valid and approved jobs orders. This can be verified through the POEA website at www.poea.gov.ph or contact the 24/7 POEA Hotline at 722.11.44 or 722.11.55 for a quick verification of any overseas employment offer/s,” it said.
The agency added that all OFWs bound for Malta must only come from the Philippines as it does not sanction hiring from other countries.
It said that their employment contracts must be registered with the POEA, and that any revisions must also pass through the latter.
As for the placement fees, the POEA added that such fees must only be equivalent to one month salary and inclusive of all other fees related to recruitment.
The Philippine Embassy in Rome has also issued a similar advisory on the unauthorized recruitment practices in the host nation.
