MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are being warned against illegal recruitment to Italy after the Italian government announced that it would be admitting 452,000 foreign nationals for seasonal and nonseasonal employment in the next three years.
FILE PHOTO: Elmer G. Cato. (Photo from his Twitter account)
In an advisory issued Friday, Consul General in Milan Elmer Cato urged Filipinos to be wary, noting that unscrupulous individuals may take advantage of the Italian government’s announcement.
The consulate’s notification was released in light of the Department of Migrant Workers’ disclosure that more than 200 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were allegedly victimized by Milan-based firms Golden Power SRLS and Alpha Assistenza.
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Initial reports show that the supposed modus operandi of the two agencies involves seeking Filipinos in Italy and offering jobs in the European country for their unemployed relatives in the Philippines. Eventually, victims are purportedly forced to pay hefty processing fees.
“We don’t want any more kababayan (compatriot) to fall victim to the predatory practices of certain individuals and agencies here in Milan who can be expected to take advantage of this announcement to defraud others,” Cato said.
READ: PH consulate working with Italian gov’t in probing fraud cases
According to the Filipino consul general, the consulate continues to receive complaints from Filipinos who had paid expensive fees to several individuals and agencies in Milan to secure what turned out to be nonexistent jobs.
Cato said they are investigating these complaints by “collecting evidence, looking for witnesses, and coordinating with local officials.”
READ: PH consulate in Milan continues to assist Filipino fraud victims
“[I]t was also the consulate that requested the Department of Foreign Affairs in August to provide a lawyer to represent the complainants in the class suit that will be filed in Italy against those involved,” he said.
Cato disclosed that based on the consulate’s investigation, at least 223 individuals may have been victimized to pay fees of as much as P40 million to the illegal recruiters.
READ: DMW sending probe team to Italy amid reported fraud cases victimizing OFWs
Cato also said they welcome Senators Raffy Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros’ call for a probe into these alleged fraud and illegal recruitment activities.