SAN FERNANDO CITY, June 1 (PIA) – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)-Region 1 reiterates its reminder for the public, particularly individuals aspiring to work abroad, to be vigilant against illegal recruitment scams.

In an interview, DMW-1 officer-in-charge chief Ferdinand Jose Merrera advised hopeful migrant workers not to get easily enticed with job offers abroad that are seemingly too promising but are actually illegitimate and non-existent.

“Malalaman po natin na iligal po ang isang recruiter kung sobrang tamis po ng kanyang pananalita dahil lagi nating tandaan na walang madali o magaan na kaparaanan para tayo ay makaalis at makapagtrabaho sa labas ng bansa,” Merrera said.

Illegal recruitment activities usually pop out on various social media platforms, as well as through text messaging.

Also, Merrera cited how illegal recruiters may even sometimes lurk around houses in communities to launch their illegal activities and prey for their next victim.

“Iwasan ang pakikipag-transaksyon sa mga indibidwal na naglilibot-libot lamang sa mga bahay-bahay at bara-barangay na nagpapanggap na recruiter at gusto lamang makapanlinlang ng mga taong nagnanais mag-trabaho sa ibang bansa,” he stressed.

Instead of looking for overseas opportunities online, the regional chief encourages them to participate in jobs fairs organized by DMW or other government agencies to ensure the legitimacy of job offers.

Merrera emphasized that participating agencies on jobs fairs staged by the government are legally authorized to recruit workers and deploy them abroad.

“Sa mga jobs fair ng gobyerno ay mayroon kayong assurance o protection na kayo ay makakapag-apply sa isang lehitimong recruitment agency na kung saan ang inyo pong kapakanan at karapatan sa ibang bansa ay protektado at makakasiguro po kayong ang inyong mga dokumento ay dumaan sa legal na proseso na ipinapatupad ng gobyerno,” he said.

To know more about the legal process when applying overseas, the public may visit the official website of the DMW at https://www.dmw.gov.ph/ or visit a DMW officer nearest to the area.

Meanwhile, as the DMW is a newly created office from being formerly known as the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Merrera appeals for the public’s continued support and cooperation to the programs and activities of the department promoting the welfare of Filipinos abroad, thus eradicating illegal recruitment and abuse among migrant workers. (JCR/AMB/CGRC, PIA Region 1)