6 illegal recruitment agencies shut down in 2023 — DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shut down six illegal recruitment agencies in 2023, most of them towards the end of the year, the agency said on Saturday.

"For the last four months, nakaka-apat na (we have four). For 2023, anim (six)," DMW officer-in-charge Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac said in a Dobol B TV interview.

Since the time of late Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople who assumed office in July 2022, a total of 14 agencies have been closed down.

"Kabilang na roon ang pinuntahan namin sa Quezon City. At ito'y muling pagpapahiwatig ng aming determinasyon na sugpuin ang illegal recruitment, kasi nagiging talamak na eh," Cacdac said.

(That includes the one we closed down in Quezon City. This is an indication of our determination to suppress illegal recruitment that has since become rampant.)

Cacdac was referring to a travel agency in Quezon City that they ordered closed on Tuesday for alleged illegal recruitment operations.

According to complaints filed by several applicants, Legal Connect Travel Consultancy charges fees between P200,000 to P380,000 for jobs in Italy and Malta.

"Siguro acting nila 'yon, nagkukunwari silang hindi nila alam. But nakalagay naman sa batas na 'ignorance of the law excuses no one,'" Cacdac said.

(Perhaps they are only acting, pretending that they have no idea of their illegal acts. But it is stated in the law that 'Ignorance of the law excuses no one.')

OFW Hospital

Meanwhile, Cacdac said the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital in Pampanga is currently filling up almost 200 positions.

The agency previously said it would strive to improve the facilities and staffing after it was criticized by Senator Raffy Tulfo for having poor service. — VDV, GMA Integrated News