POEA warning: Applicants who use fake documents may be deported

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration building. Photo from www.poea.gov.ph

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) warned job applicants and recruitment agencies against using counterfeit documents in seeking jobs abroad.

In an advisory released Sunday, the POEA expressed concern over fake documents submitted during the application process after the agency received complaints from foreign employers.

“The scheme involves the submission of fake or altered employment certificates of job applicants, in some cases perpetrated by some licensed recruitment agencies with the consent of the worker, to reflect compliance with work experience and training requirements of employers,” POEA explained in the advisory.

“Primary source verification, however, reveals that some applicants had not undergone nor completed training programs, or had not been employed by companies or institutions issuing such certification,” it added.

The employment administration said that the malpractice of aspiring overseas workers would open them up to possible deportation, detention, and blacklisting, and might affect their future applications.

“Both workers and recruitment agencies should be aware of possible administrative and criminal liabilities arising from violation of relevant laws and rules and regulation on overseas employment,” POEA warned. /cbb