POEA 6 warns jobseekers on ‘no placement fee’ rule
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration 6 Officer-in-Charge Rhea Glynda Calantas has clarified there are countries that prohibit the collection of placement fees from workers.
Calantas cautioned anew Ilonggos jobseekers against recruitment agencies charging placement fees from applicants bound for the United States, including Guam for jobs falling under the H-2B visa category or non-agricultural temporary worker.
The policy is contained in Memorandum Circular No. 10 Series of 2009 issued by the POEA in September last year in line with the US government regulations that forbid the charging of recruitment or placement fees from a worker as a condition for employment under the H-2B visa.
Since 2001, POEA has adopted a policy that prohibits charging of placement fees from workers applying for jobs in countries that do not allow charging of such fees.
Aside from US, including Guam, other countries that prohibit collection of placement fees are United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, some parts of Canada like Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Seskatchewan, and Netherlands.
Calantas said administrative charges will be filed against recruitment agencies found violating the “no-placement fee” policy in countries that prohibit the collection of placement fees from workers.
Penalties for these erring recruitment agencies include immediate suspension or cancellation of their licenses.
To avoid becoming a victim of this illegal activity, Calantas advised Ilonggo jobseekers to visit their office for any developments on the Guam labor market.
They can also visit the POEA website at www.poea.gov.ph or call their hotlines 722-1144/7221155 or text 2917.*PIA6
