The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has issued a stern warning against recruitment agencies who collect placement fees from household service workers (HSWs).
POEA chief Hans Cacdac threatened to revoke the licenses of agencies if they continue to collect placement fees.
According to the Philippine Star, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has issued a directive to the POEA to strictly enforce the reform package for HSWs- where no fee of any nature can be collected. “There is total prohibition on charging placement fees from Filipino HSWs whether done prior to their departure or on-site through salary deduction, as provided by POEA Governing Board Resolution 6,” Cacdac explained.
However strict they may be, Cacdac said there are still agencies who want to take advatage of HSWs.
They hide the fees by charging them exorbitant amounts for the medical examination, training, video, bio-data, and pre-departure orientation seminar, among others. Cacdac warned applicants to be wary of such agencies. He warned violators will be punished by cancellation of their licenses, even if there is only one complaint against them.
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Photo: betterphils.blogspot.com
