THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday rescued 78 overseas Filipino worker (OFW) applicants from an alleged illegal recruitment agency in Palanan, Makati City.
The DMW said in a statement that the Jenerick International Manpower Inc. was shut down on Wednesday as part of the agency’s campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
The applicants said they were offered jobs as domestic workers in several countries in Asia and the Middle East, but were housed in lodging facility that was “neither registered nor authorized by the department and lacked the necessary clearance permit.”
The facility had inadequate space, poor ventilation and unsafe living conditions for the applicants, the DMW said.
The agency coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in providing initial assistance to the rescued applicants, which also includes financial aid and temporary accommodation, while the Makati City local government ensured that the rescue was conducted in an “orderly, safe and peaceful manner.”
It advised jobseekers and their families to always verify with the DMW a recruitment agency’s license, job order and other relevant documents before making payments, signing agreements or proceeding with any recruitment process.