Manila, Philippines – The illegal recruitment agency “Paragon Visa Consultancy” charged placement fees ranging from ₱100,000 to ₱300,000 to Filipinos as they promised job opportunities in New Zealand.
Authorities have arrested Julie Pearl Robejes, the suspect operating the illegal recruitment scheme in Iloilo City, on charges of syndicated illegal recruitment and Estafa.
The arrest is the result of a joint effort by authorities to stamp out illegal recruiters and protect Filipinos seeking employment abroad.
According to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, this is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to ensure safe and proper recruitment processes for Filipinos pursuing opportunities overseas.
The Secretary made the statement as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and New Zealand celebrated “Friendship Week,” commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Authorities have shutdown around thirty illegal recruitment agencies so far this year.
The DMW also issued a stern warning regarding illegal recruitment hubs operating in Metro Manila and the provinces.
The deployment of Filipinos continues despite the exploitation of overseas job seekers by illegal recruiters; in fact, the DMW is set to send around 20 skilled workers to New Zealand.
Darel, a 38-year-old resident of Taytay, Rizal, was hired after applying for a carpentry job in New Zealand.
Although this was his first time applying for overseas employment, his ten years of experience as a carpenter worked to his advantage.
Darel will soon join the more than one hundred thousand Filipinos already based in New Zealand. – Alvin F. Pelobello, Eurotv News