The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday, Nov. 14, shut down a consultancy firm in Sta. Cruz, Manila over alleged illegal recruitment of Filipino seafarers.
In a news release posted on its official Facebook page, DMW said Double D Training Consultancy Services (DDTC) has no license to operate nor authorized to "recruit and place Filipino seafarers, or to refer them directly to foreign employers."
The agency said the surveillance operations conducted by Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) found that every applicant for sea-based positions was required to pay the processing fee of P80,000.
"The closure of DDTC will result in the inclusion of the firm and its staff in the DMW “List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record” to prevent them from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program," DMW said.
It added that illegal recruitment will be charged against the management of the consultancy firm.
DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac urged the public to verify first the legitimacy of the agency on its official website.
"To our kababayans, especially those who want to work overseas, do not deal with consultancy firms that offer to get you jobs abroad. Always check the DMW website (www.dmw.gov.ph) for the list of licensed agencies and approved job orders. Itong si DDTC wala silang lisensya kaya wala silang karapatan na mag-hire o mag-deploy ng seafarers sa abroad," he said as quoted by the agency.
Those who fell victim to any illegal recruitment are urged to report these to the MWPB through its official Facebook page, email at [email protected], or through its hotline number +6328721-0619.
