The DMW close down on Thursday a consultancy firm that engaged in illegal recruitment of Filipinos as workers in Canada. (Photo from DMW)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) closed on Thursday an immigration consultancy firm that illegally offered jobs for Filipinos in Canada.
According to the DMW, Dream Pathway Education and Immigration Services recruited nurses, caregivers, nursing aides and welders.
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This then prompted the agency to close its offices in Mandaluyong City, and its branch offices in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija, Apalit in Pampanga, and Lipa City in Batangas.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that the firm did not have proper licenses, on top of charging expensive fees to its applicants.
“Dream Pathway is among the unauthorized entities taking advantage of Canada’s immigration programs, which are being used as a doorway to Canada for temporary work before reaching permanent residency. Aside from not securing a proper license from the DMW, they are charging exorbitant processing fees to hopeful applicants,” Cacdac said.
In its investigation, the DMW found that the firm offered jobs for a P110,000 fee under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) program, which offers skilled workers an opportunity to reside in Canada.
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The DMW said that the firm will face illegal recruitment charges, and will be included in its list of those barred from participating in its overseas recruitment program.
It likewise advised the public who may have been victimized by the firm to contact the DMW, and told Filipinos who want to work in Canada to go through the legal process.