Cops ‘rescue’ recruits for overseas employment in Valenzuela
MANILA, Philippines - A composite team of law enforcement agencies on Tuesday raided a dormitory in Valenzuela to “rescue" several would-be domestic helpers who were promised jobs abroad, according to a television report.
GMA News reporter Jiggy Manicad said the raiding team were composed of operatives from the Central Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police, anti-illegal task force of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Office of the Vice President.
The four-story dormitory building where the applicants were herded is owned by Thelma Kwe of the Phil. Quest International Management and Service Contractor, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.
The report said Noria Salik, an applicant from Cotabato province had sought police assistance after the agency allegedly prevented her to leave the area unless she pays P10,000 fee.
It took two hours before the Kwe allowed the raiding team to enter the building and allowed the applicants to leave the dormitory.
One applicant said she has been staying in the dormitory for two months as she waited for her deployment abroad. Others were complaining about their visa and contracts.
“Mahirap magtrabaho ng walang sahod," one applicant said.
Another applicant said she wanted to get a refund from the agency and planning to return to her province.
A minor was among the applicants, the report claimed. The 17-year-old girl said her age was forged in her passport.
The recruiter is a legal company but it violated some recruitment regulations including asking for placement fee and other charges.
“Sa ngayon kasi ang DH na nagnanais magpunta sa ibang bansa para maging domestic helper ay hindi dapat magbayad ng placement fee at lalo na ang processing fee. Walang ring salary deduction," said Atty. Alejandro Diaz, director POEA anti Illegal recruitment branch.
Police Sr Supt Gilbert Sosa, of the CIDG added: “Lumalabas na ang mga kontrata nila hindi ipinapakita ang kontrata na ganito ang sweldo. Pero actually ang nakalagay sa kontrata ay hindi actual na pera na makukuha nila…mga deduction na hindi naman nakalagay sa kontrata."
Kwe refused to make a comment on the issue, according to the report. - GMANews.TV
GMA News reporter Jiggy Manicad said the raiding team were composed of operatives from the Central Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police, anti-illegal task force of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Office of the Vice President.
The four-story dormitory building where the applicants were herded is owned by Thelma Kwe of the Phil. Quest International Management and Service Contractor, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.
The report said Noria Salik, an applicant from Cotabato province had sought police assistance after the agency allegedly prevented her to leave the area unless she pays P10,000 fee.
It took two hours before the Kwe allowed the raiding team to enter the building and allowed the applicants to leave the dormitory.
One applicant said she has been staying in the dormitory for two months as she waited for her deployment abroad. Others were complaining about their visa and contracts.
“Mahirap magtrabaho ng walang sahod," one applicant said.
Another applicant said she wanted to get a refund from the agency and planning to return to her province.
A minor was among the applicants, the report claimed. The 17-year-old girl said her age was forged in her passport.
The recruiter is a legal company but it violated some recruitment regulations including asking for placement fee and other charges.
“Sa ngayon kasi ang DH na nagnanais magpunta sa ibang bansa para maging domestic helper ay hindi dapat magbayad ng placement fee at lalo na ang processing fee. Walang ring salary deduction," said Atty. Alejandro Diaz, director POEA anti Illegal recruitment branch.
Police Sr Supt Gilbert Sosa, of the CIDG added: “Lumalabas na ang mga kontrata nila hindi ipinapakita ang kontrata na ganito ang sweldo. Pero actually ang nakalagay sa kontrata ay hindi actual na pera na makukuha nila…mga deduction na hindi naman nakalagay sa kontrata."
Kwe refused to make a comment on the issue, according to the report. - GMANews.TV
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