OFW guide: How to identify illegal recruiters

, GMA News

 Illegal recruiters are always on the prowl, looking for their next victims.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) must thus always be vigilant as they never know when they would fall into someone's trap and turn them into victims of human trafficking, also called "modern-day slavery."

Data from the International Labor Organization (ILO) shows how widespread human trafficking with 20,900,000 cases recorded worldwide in 2012 alone, including:
  • 15,400,000 cases involving adults, and
  • 5,500,000 cases involving children.

Out of these, 11,700,000 cases are from the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines.


The 20,900,000 recorded cases in 2012 included:
  • 14,200,000 cases of forced labour exploitation;
  • 4,500,000 cases of forced sexual exploitation, and
  • 2,200,000 cases of state-imposed forced labor.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) also listed the common tactics used by illegal recuiters:

(1) They ask for placement and other fees without providing a receipt.

(2) They guarantee your "sure-fire deployment" to your country of choice.

(3) They require you to undergo medical examination or training even without having a clear contract or employer.

(4) They transact with applicants in public places (such as malls or restaurants) instead of a licensed office.

(5) They recruit as many applicants as they can, even if they can't accommodate them.

(6) They do not give sufficient information about the job that you are applying for.

(7) They claim that they are in touch with a direct employer and that there is no need for you to go through the POEA.

(8) They promise quick deployment using a tourist or visitors visa.

(9) They are unable to show an employment contract or working visa.

(10) They are unable to show an identification card.

(11) They claim to be connected to a travel agency or training center.

(12) They urge applicants to refer others to expedite their deployment process.

(13) They could not properly give information about themselves such as their name, address and contact number.

To combat human trafficking in the Philippines, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas established a 1343 hotline number in March 2011 which operates around the clock to help victims. - VVP, GMA News

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