THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday reminded the public that Japanese language training centers are not authorized to recruit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), with such activity considered illegal recruitment.
“Filipinos seeking job opportunities in Japan should be cautious of employment offers from Japanese language training centers, as they are not authorized to recruit workers for overseas work,” Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said in a statement.
“(Be vigilant against) exploitative illegal recruiters, who are preying on the vulnerability of the Filipino job seekers,” he added.
Olalia pointed out that language training of workers should only occur after they have gone through the selection and pre-qualification processes done by Japanese employers.
He also noted that the training costs should be shouldered by employers, and not the applicants, as provided under the Technical Internship Training Program (TITP) and the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program.
“Candidates will be directed to language training centers only after they submit the required documents and undergo the selection process by Japanese employers,” he explained.
“Under the TITP track, employers cover the language training fees of their trainees, while for the SSW program, training costs vary per agreement by the employer and the worker,” added Olalia.
The DMW issued the reminder after it padlocked the Hikari Japanese Learning Center Corporation for engaging in illegal recruitment activities.
Shut down were Hikari’s head office in Panabo City, Davao Del Norte, along with its branches in Manila City; Rosario, Cavite; Davao City; and General Santos City.
