Why aren’t owners of erring recruitment agencies in jail?

From January to May this year, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) canceled the licenses of 21 recruitment agencies and suspended 12 others, including five agencies charged for numerous recruitment violations.

According to Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac in an interview with Bantay OCW over Radyo Inquirer, the POEA has initiated the filing of cases against Philglobal Manpower Development Corporation; CSM International Recruitment Services, Inc.; Gyron Crew, Inc.; Crosswind International Manpower Services; and Acclaimed One Manpower and Recruitment Services.

These agencies were found to have violated various laws and POEA rules and regulations.

Agencies with canceled licenses are: EMR Construction and Manpower Services Inc.; Tai-Fil Manpower Services Corporation; Lucky International Placement Services, Inc.; Jems International Placement Agency Corp.; Masaya International Placement Agency; Prime Stars International Promotion Corporation; Dreams Manpower and Recruitment Agency; G & D Manpower International, Inc.; Green Manpower Management and Development Services; Asahi International Manpower Corporation; Multi-System Conexions International, Inc.; Petra Personnel Employment and Technical Recruitment Agency, Inc.; RV Tria International Recruitment Agency; Hope International Agency; Jerphi Overseas Placement and Trading Corporation; LPN Manpower Services Inc.; Ritz Manpower Services; Northwest Placement Inc.; Active Manpower and General Services; Gold & Green Manpower Services and Development Services ; and Acclaimed One Manpower and Recruitment Services.

Cacdac further explained that overseas placement and manning agencies with standing cancellation or suspension orders are prohibited from engaging in recruitment activities.

For the reporting period, Cacdac said the POEA has also suspended the licenses of the following agencies: Al Ashiera International Manpower Services; Vogue Plus Promotion; Mi Amore International Services, Inc.; Awas Manpower Services; and Crosswind International Manpower.

POEA also issued orders of preventive suspension against Reajent Manpower Services, Inc.; Shfia International; Crosswind International Manpower;  Gyron Crew Inc.; CSM International; Philglobal Manpower Development Corporation; and Riley International Employment Services and Training Center, Inc.

Thirty-three licenses were canceled but where are the owners of these recruitment firms?

Do they really face the punishments for victimizing overseas job applicants? For the past 15 years of Bantay OCW, the observation has been that they don’t. They should be jailed for abusing OFWs.

The problem is they usually use dummies. Their officers face the complaints and charges but eventually no one is imprisoned. A few months after, we see the owners of these erring recruitment agencies putting up new agencies and again victimizing innocent applicants. As a result, OFWs are losing opportunities for a better future.

Cacdac even joked that the few illegal recruiters who have been detained still managed to recruit and establish groups inside the jail.

Will this problem ever end?

Susan Andes, aka Susan K., is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990 dzIQ AM, Monday to Friday 12:30-2:00 p.m. with audio/video live streaming: www.dziq.am. Hotlines:  5357209/8819423/0920-968-4700.
E-mail:  [email protected]/[email protected]