How to Spot Illegal Recruiters

Who is the Illegal Recruiter?

1. Instantly asks for placement and other fees but does not give official receipts.
2. Promises fast and early deployment.
3. Immediately requires medical examinations even without a definite contract or employer.
4. Conducts transactions with applicants in public places, such as restaurants, malls, etc. and not in licensed agency’s office.
5. Conducts house-to-house recruitment.
6. Does not give enough information regarding the job applied.
7. Claims to have contact with direct employers abroad, and asserts that applicants do not need to go through POEA requirements.
8. Promises quick deployment, but only through tourist or visit visas.
9. Could not produce employment contract or visa.
10. Claims to work for a legitimate agency, but could not show any ID.
11. Claims to be connected with a travel agency or a training center.
12. Persuades applicants to look for other applicants so that deployment would be quickened.
13. Does not give enough or hides personal information, such as full name, address, etc.
14. Promises to process documents through the POEA’s government to government hiring program (especially for applicants to Korea).
15. Claims to have deployed one or more workers abroad using tourist or visit visas, and tries to entice you by using the same scheme.

Ten Commandments to Avoid Illegal Recruitment

1. You should not apply in an agency not licensed by the POEA.
2. You should not accept jobs without job orders. Ask the POEA.
3. You should not deal with somebody who is not an authorized employee of a licensed agency.
4. You should not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruiting outside Metro Manila, ask for Special Recruitment Authority.
5. You should not pay for a placement fee that is more than the equivalent of a month’s salary.
6. You should not pay for a placement fee if you are not given a receipt and an employment contract.
7. You should not readily believe advertisements or pamphlets advising you to contact certain P.O. Box addresses and urging you to pay a fee for the processing of your papers.
8. You should not transact business with agents of training centers and travel agencies offering jobs abroad.
9. You should not accept a tourist visa for your overseas employment.
10. You should not deal with fixers.

Source: A Simple Life