The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) padlocks Tranvia Travel Agency in Cubao, Quezon City on March 18, 2024 for illegally recruiting Filipinos for “bogus” jobs in Poland. | PHOTO: DMW
MANILA, Philippines — A travel agency in Quezon City was padlocked on Monday by operatives of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for illegally recruiting Filipinos for “bogus” jobs in Poland.
In a statement, the DMW said that it had shut down Tranvia Travel Agency, which was operating without license or authority from the department.
According to the DMW, its Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Prague, Czech Republic discovered that Tranvia promises jobs for warehousemen, factory workers, and nurses in Poland with monthly salaries ranging from P80,000 to P100,000 but charges exorbitant processing fees of P200,000 to P350,000.
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The fees, which are non-refundable, may be paid either through a one-time payment or on an installment basis.
DMW said it was also discovered that the travel agency was using social media network Facebook and text messaging app WhatsApp to prey on prospective applicants.
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“Officers and personnel of Tranvia Travel Agency will face serious charges of illegal recruitment and will be included in the DMW ‘List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record’ and shall be blacklisted from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program,” it added.
DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said in the same statement that the Filipino community in Poland called the attention of its MWO in the European country to investigate Tranvia.
“Without their help we would not have thwarted Tranvia Travel’s illegal activities,” Cacdac was quoted as saying.
The DMW is calling on other Filipinos who may have been victims of Tranvia Travel agency to contact the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau to file cases against the travel agency.
MWPB contacted through their Facebook page and through their email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph.