THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday padlocked the office of a consultancy firm operating in Makati City allegedly illegally recruiting Filipino workers for factory jobs in Poland.
Aided by the Makati City police, DMW officials shut down the office of BELMíœN, also known as Global Migration Trading, in Salcedo Village, Makati City.
“Disguised as ‘Global Migration Trading,’ BELMíœN was actively recruiting and deploying workers without a valid DMW license,” said DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia.
“This is a serious offense committed by BELMíœN,” he added.
Citing the report of its Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), the DMW said the firm was found offering jobs to prospective applicants as factory workers in exchange for an “all-in payment” of at least P165,000 for “processing” the worker’s employment documents, work permit, visa, and referral to foreign partner agencies.
It said applicants are required to pay an initial fee of P56,000 for the processing of work permits, with the remaining balance to be paid upon the issuance of the work permit.
The DMW said the waiting time for the “processing” period could last for up to a year.
Additionally, the Department said applicants will have to shoulder the transportation costs to their destination country.
With the allegations, the DMW said the officers and personnel of BELMíœN will be included in the “List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record.
“They shall be blacklisted from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program,” said Olalia.
He said officers and personnel of BELMíœN also face serious charges of illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate, which is punishable by life imprisonment and fines ranging from P2,000,000 to P5,000,000.
“Applicants who fell victim to the illegal recruitment activities of BELMíœN or Global Migration Training are urged to contact the MWPB for the filing of cases against the consultancy firm,” said Olalia.
