Even licensed agencies engage in illegal recruitment - NGO

MANILA, Philippines – An advocacy groups for migrant workers’ concerns on Friday urged the government to intensify its information and dissemination campaign against illegal recruitment, especially in the far-flung provinces to protect Filipinos desiring to work abroad. An officer of the Kanlungan Center Foundation, Inc – Center for Migrants Workers, a non-governmental organization that provides legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers said illegal recruiters are very much active in searching for victims especially in remote communities. “Sana patindihin ng gobyerno ang information and dissemination lalo na sa mga probinsya na walang paraan upang ma-check nila kung legal o hindi ang nagre-recruit sa kanila," said Loida Bernabe, program officer of Kanlungan's direct support and development program. Apart from more than 100 cases of illegal recruitment the group is handling, Bernabe said at least 44 new complaints related to illegal recruitment have come in. “Sa amin pa lang ‘yan. Kahit nga mga license recruiters ay involved na rin sa illegal recruitment, ayon mismo 'yan sa record ng POEA (Philippine Overseas Workers Administration," she asserted. As part of government’s campaign against illegal recruitment, Bernabe suggested close monitoring of the operations of licensed placement agencies and close coordination with Philippine embassies in host countries. According to Bernabe, some legal recruitment agencies are abusing the license given to them by the POEA. “Ibig sabihin sa hanay mismo nila hindi nila masawata ang illegal recruitment," she pointed out. Tedious legal battle Though justice for the victims of illegal recruitment is the group’s primary objective in helping OFWs, Bernabe admitted that most of the time, cases they are handling end up in amicable settlements. “Mahirap mag-prosecute (ng illegal recruiter) at matagal bago lumabas ang desisyon (ng korte). Isa sa nagpapahirap sa pag-prosecute ay pagpayag na makipag-areglo ng biktima," Bernabe explained. “’Yang mga victims, lalo na ‘yung galing sa probinsya, nagbenta 'yan ng mga lupa nila. Kapag nagkaso sila maghihintay sila ng desisyon ng korte. Tapos babalik pa rito kapag may hearing, gagastos sila sa biyahe kaya mahirap para sa kanila. Kaya nakikipagkasundo na lang sila sa nanloko sa kanila," she added. And because amicable settlement is inevitable in this, Bernabe said what the most Kanlungan can do is to negotiate for a much higher monetary settlement for the victim. Bernabe also admitted that bribery and corruption is also prevalent in recruitment cases especially if the accused is wealthy and has the “resources" to delay the proceedings. “Kapag nalibre na sila sa kaso, balik uli sila sa panloloko," she said. Bernade concluded that as long as there is high demand of Filipino workers aboard, and there are many Filipinos who are willing to work abroad due to the lack of employment opportunities in the country, there will always be illegal recruiters. – GMANews.TV