DMW foils “illegal” recruitment of teachers

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers in Central Visayas (DMW-7) thwarted an illegal recruitment operation over the weekend, which sought to victimize hundreds of teachers from the Visayas and Mindanao who were promised of employment in Alaska, United States.

DMW-7 officials intervened and halted the recruitment activity conducted inside a hotel in Cebu City after the recruiters failed to present the necessary documents proving their authorization to hire workers for overseas deployment.

According to DMW-7, the event attracted numerous teacher-applicants who had hoped to secure a teaching position in Alaska. However, upon investigation, authorities discovered that the recruitment activity lacked the required accreditation and documentation.

DMW-7 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Maria Eloida O. Cantona, along with personnel from the Migrant Workers Protection Division, personally went to the venue and ordered the activity to stop.

“Those facilitating the screening and interview failed to present their Letter of Authority or LOA. So, we asked them to stop,” Cantona said.

The LOA is an official document issued by the DMW, granting an accredited foreign principal or its representatives the authority to participate in the selection process of applicants outside the registered business address of a licensed recruitment agency, as specified in the Special Recruitment Authority.

“What happened was, the school districts represented by their school principals and superintendents directly conducted the interviews with the applicants. There was also no licensed recruitment agency present that should have accredited these school districts in the first place,” Cantona added.

To address the issue, Cantona led an orientation at the same venue, where she outlined the correct hiring procedures and the necessary documentary requirements for legitimate overseas employment.

“We caution the public to be wary and vigilant of these recruitment activities that are becoming so prevalent, anyone would think they are legitimate. For those who want to work overseas, always check whether you are engaging with a licensed recruitment agency or not or whether their job orders have been posted on the DMW website or otherwise. It’s very important that we are always alert,” she further warned.

DMW-7 urged the public to immediately report any suspected illegal recruitment activities in Central Visayas through the following contact channels: Landline: (032) 231 1016; Hotlines: 09190674031 and 09190674032; or Email: cebu@dmw.gov.ph. (CEBU NEWS)