POEA shuts down 7 firms, suspends 5 others

MANILA, Philippines – For offering non-existent jobs in Dubai to 137 Filipino bus drivers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has ordered the closure of seven recruitment agencies and the suspension of five others.

The POEA shut down CYM International Services and Placement Agency, SGA-Sahara International Manpower Services, Across Universe International Manpower Agency, Jenvic International Manpower Services, BML Worldwide Manpower Services Inc., Richfield Overseas Employment Co., and Al Anwar International Manpower.

POEA deputy administrator Han Cacdac said they have revoked the business licenses of the seven recruitment firms after they were found liable for violating recruitment regulations.

“With the revocation of their license, these agencies are now disqualified from engaging in the business of recruitment and placement of Filipino workers abroad,” Cacdac said in a 71-page resolution.

Aside from the seven agencies, Cacdac said the POEA has also suspended the business license of five other agencies involved in the illegal deployment of the 137 bus drivers.

The POEA suspended and fined Vigor International Manpower Services (six months, P60,000), Bridgewood Human Resources Co. (eight months, P80,000), Expert Placement Agency (13 months, P130,000), Dreams Manpower and Recruitment Agency (18 months, P180,000), and Hana Star Corp. (26 months, P260,000).

The POEA cleared Goldmine International Recruitment Agency of charges of recruitment violations in connection with the case.

Cacdac said the variation in the penalties depended on the number of would-be overseas Filipino workers the recruiters processed after CYM farmed out the supposed 4,000 job openings for bus drivers at Dubai’s Road Transport Authority (RTA).

According to Cacdac, the POEA initiated the investigation based on the complaint of the bus drivers who were left stranded in United Arab Emirates after having been illegally deployed by 13 agencies for employment in the RTA. It turned out that RTA has no pending job orders for Filipino workers, the POEA noted.

Initial investigation showed CYM International and Placement Agencies promised high-paying jobs to the bus drivers and later distributed the applications to other agencies. The workers were provided only visit visas after paying P150,000 placement fee each through lending companies.

“Except for those who signed affidavits of desistance, the drivers will get refunds for whatever they paid or given the recruiter or RJ Lacaba lending agency. The refunds will be charged against the escrow deposits of each agency,” he said.

Majority of the bus drivers were eventually repatriated while the government successfully negotiated the hiring of others in various companies in Dubai.