Binay wants CIDG to monitor case of recruiters for UK jobs

Vice President Jejomar Binay has directed the police to closely monitor the case of six persons arrested last week for alleged illegal recruitment of Filipino student nurses for jobs in the United Kingdom, even as the suspects’ consultancy group is denying the charges. In a release, Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns, said he has asked officials of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to monitor the case to show that the government is serious in putting an end to illegal recruitment in the country. The suspects, two British nationals and four Filipinos, were directors and employees of the NSN Worldwide Advisers, Inc., a Philippines-based visa consultancy agency with offices in Makati, Cebu and Candon in Ilocos Sur. According to a release from the Office of the Vice President, CIDG received complaints from seven supposed victims, who accused the suspects of recruiting them to be caregivers and housekeepers in London with a salary of P100,000. The complainants also alleged they were also promised free hospitalization, free education for their dependents, and a United Kingdom immigrant status for their family after two years. They were likewise purportedly assured of entry to the UK through a Tier 4 student visa, which is granted to those who wish to study in UK for six months or more. The visa application was denied, however, due to questionable documents and failure of the agency to provide bank certificates. The release added NSN is not a bona fide education provider recognized by the UK Border Agency. “Let this serve as a warning to illegal recruiters and those who intend to take advantage of our OFWs through illegal recruitment. Remember, your days are numbered," Binay said. The suspects are currently detained at the CIDG office in Camp Crame, and are facing charges of illegal recruitment and estafa. Agency’s group denies illegal recruitment In a separate release, however, an association of international education consultancies, of which NSN is a member, denied the agency was engaging in illegal recruitment. Philippine Association of International Consultants for Education (PAICE) spokesperson Manny Geslani said their visa consultancy agencies do not offer jobs in the UK and only help healthcare workers enroll in higher education courses there. Geslani belied the complainants’ allegations, saying the complainants themselves applied with accredited colleges and universities in the UK. “Their visa applications were denied through their own fault by submitting false documentation and bank certificates," Geslani added. He explained that the Tier 4 student visa category grants temporary residency to student visa holders in the UK, and an on-the-job training of 17 hours is required as part of their curriculum. The British government, however, allows student visa holders to work for 20 hours per week for them to earn for their living expenses. “It is unfortunate that some elements in the government are going after legitimate companies which have alleviated the plight hundreds of thousands (of) jobless nurses, and given them opportunities to migrate through this program instead of concentrating their illegal recruitment operations at the airports and illegal syndicates in Metro Manila," Geslani said. According to PAICE, more than 25,000 Filipino student nurses are now in the UK through a study-and-work program, and many of these nurses have become permanent residents there. The group added an annual average of some 7,000 Filipino nurses since 2007 have flown to the UK under the program.—JV, GMANews.TV