DMW padlocks maritime firm

MANILA, Philippines — For alleged involvement in illegal recruitment, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) padlocked a maritime consultancy firm in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Wednesday.

Upon the orders of DMW Secretary Susan Ople, the department’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau closed the office of JCB Success Maritime Consultancy Services.

Ople said the company had been recruiting job applicants as deck seafarers, able engine seafarers, oilers, engineers and yacht stewards without the necessary permit.

The maritime firm will be barred from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program, according to Ople.

She said a case for illegal recruitment will be filed against JCB’s owner and officers.

In his complaint, Manuel Jericho Ramos said he and three other jobseekers applied for the position of engine cadet posted by JCB in September 2021.

Ramos said they were asked to pay P75,000 each as placement fee and were encouraged to convince other colleagues to apply for positions offered by the maritime company.

The applicants were required to submit travel documents such as Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book, passport and skills certifications. After evaluation, the firm would refer the applicants to an international manning agency for deployment.

After months of waiting for his deployment that did not materialize, Ramos said he decided to seek help from the DMW.