POEA, Globe, SM fight illegal recruitment

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Globe have found their latest ally in their fight to combat illegal recruitment in the country – the SM Group of Companies.

SM will initially put up SM Balikbayan Centers in 31 of its branches all over the country that will serve as one-stop shops featuring products and services for OFWs and their families.

The balikbayan centers will feature Globe’s anti-illegal recruitment campaign materials for POEA’s public education program on overseas employment.

The SM Balikbayan Centers will also carry Globe products and services for the overseas Filipino community.

This is part of Globe and SM’s commitment to provide quality products and services at very affordable prices for overseas Pinoys and their families.

Globe is continuing its full support to POEA’s anti-illegal recruitment crusade, providing POEA with information materials like posters, banners, and brochures that would help the agency in its public education program on overseas employment, including how to spot and avoid illegal recruiters.

Globe has also collaborated with the POEA in the development of an SMS-based service that will enable Globe or TM subscribers to search for overseas jobs, verify licenses of recruitment agencies or report suspected illegal recruitment activities to POEA. 

For more information on this service, simply text POEA to 2917 using Globe or TM cellphones. 

Globe or TM subscribers can also call the POEA Information Office for free from anywhere in the country through the DOLE 2917 hotline. All they have to do is dial 2917 on their Globe or TM cellphones, and press “2” to get connected to the POEA.

Since 2004, the POEA and Globe have developed projects to meet the common goal of ensuring that aspiring OFWs will be properly deployed overseas.

Globe has mounted electronic billboards and signages at the POEA head office in Ortigas, helping applicants to be informed of the legal way of applying for overseas jobs and wary of the modus operandi of illegal recruiters.

Globe has also constructed the POEA-Globe Kababayan OFW Internet Hub, the first-ever free Internet service housed at the POEA head office open to OFWs and their family members.