POEA to sue firm in recruitment scam to Canada
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration is preparing charges against a firm linked to a recruitment scam offering jobs in Canada, on orders of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Facing possible charges is Primera Human Resource Services, after it was linked to the recruitment scam to Canada, the DOLE said in a statement.
DOLE said the company claims to be licensed by the POEA, but actually lures victims via email for nonexistent jobs in Canada.
Toronto-based Labor Attachè Leonida Romulo reported Primera Human Resource Services was recruiting caregivers, even if inexperienced, via email.
Romulo said the company would tell applicants to enrol for a three-month on-the-job training at Ian Anderson House, Ontario’s first in-resident hospice for individuals with terminal cancer and limited life expectancy.
But DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the POLO and the Philippine Consulate General in Ontario had received an email from Heidi Harrigan, volunteer coordinator of the Ian Anderson House, who claimed "receiving numerous e-mails and calls from applicants in the Philippines telling about the fraudulent activities of the company."
Investigation showed Primera fooled applicants with letters claiming they were chosen for the position of a caregiver. The letter claimed no training is required because the company has its own on-the-job training at Ian Anderson House in Canada.
It also allegedly claimed there is a certificate of exemption that will be issued by the employer.
Harrigan said the email is "fraudulent" and was received by many people in the Philippines.
No answer
The DOLE said a check with the POEA showed Primera had a license but it has expired. It said no one was answering the company’s telephone numbers, 543-3755 and 509-8117; and mobile numbers 0916-638-3298 and 0918-398-1453.
For her part, Baldoz urged those who fell for the scam to come forward and testify against the company.
She also cautioned Filipinos planning to work in Canada to be very careful in dealing with companies recruiting for non-existent jobs.
On the other hand, Romulo said Ian Anderson House has filed a report about the scam with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Also, Harrigan said the hospice already posted a warning against the scam on its website. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News
Facing possible charges is Primera Human Resource Services, after it was linked to the recruitment scam to Canada, the DOLE said in a statement.
DOLE said the company claims to be licensed by the POEA, but actually lures victims via email for nonexistent jobs in Canada.
Toronto-based Labor Attachè Leonida Romulo reported Primera Human Resource Services was recruiting caregivers, even if inexperienced, via email.
Romulo said the company would tell applicants to enrol for a three-month on-the-job training at Ian Anderson House, Ontario’s first in-resident hospice for individuals with terminal cancer and limited life expectancy.
But DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the POLO and the Philippine Consulate General in Ontario had received an email from Heidi Harrigan, volunteer coordinator of the Ian Anderson House, who claimed "receiving numerous e-mails and calls from applicants in the Philippines telling about the fraudulent activities of the company."
Investigation showed Primera fooled applicants with letters claiming they were chosen for the position of a caregiver. The letter claimed no training is required because the company has its own on-the-job training at Ian Anderson House in Canada.
It also allegedly claimed there is a certificate of exemption that will be issued by the employer.
Harrigan said the email is "fraudulent" and was received by many people in the Philippines.
No answer
The DOLE said a check with the POEA showed Primera had a license but it has expired. It said no one was answering the company’s telephone numbers, 543-3755 and 509-8117; and mobile numbers 0916-638-3298 and 0918-398-1453.
For her part, Baldoz urged those who fell for the scam to come forward and testify against the company.
She also cautioned Filipinos planning to work in Canada to be very careful in dealing with companies recruiting for non-existent jobs.
On the other hand, Romulo said Ian Anderson House has filed a report about the scam with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Also, Harrigan said the hospice already posted a warning against the scam on its website. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News
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