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Philippine: Recruiters face penalty if they can't protect household workers

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by IDWFED published Aug 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Recruiters who deploy household service workers abroad will face penalties if they fail to extend enough protection to the overseas Filipino workers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) warned. POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said recruitment agencies that go around POEA rules may be opening the door to violence, abuse or contract violations by employers against the HSWs. Cacdac also reminded recruitment agencies to ensure only HSWs with required skills are deployed, and are properly documented.

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PHILIPPINES -

Recruiters who deploy household service workers abroad will face penalties if they fail to extend enough protection to the overseas Filipino workers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) warned.  POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said recruitment agencies that go around POEA rules may be opening the door to violence, abuse or contract violations by employers against the HSWs.

Cacdac also reminded recruitment agencies to ensure only HSWs with required skills are deployed, and are properly documented.

“We should know by now that unskilled workers and those who have no legal documents for work overseas are more prone to harassment and maltreatment,” he said.

In a news release, Cacdac said violations may mean the cancellation or suspension of the licenses of the recruitment agencies concerned.

On the other hand, Cacdac noted legal and contractual obligations include:

  • humane treatment
  • payment of salaries and benefits
  • notification of the Philippine embassy about any significant development that may affect the condition of domestic workers.

Also, the recruitment agency must assist in the settlement of disputes and report significant or important situations experienced by a deployed HSW to the POEA.

Some recruiters take shortcuts

Cacdac noted some recruiters take shortcuts in the placement process by getting another agency to deploy its workers.

Others pass off a domestic worker as another type of worker by using fake documents, deployment through the backdoor, or deployment to countries with travel restrictions.

For her part, labor secretary Rosalinda Baldoz reminded recruitment agency owners of their duty to protect HSWs deployed overseas.

"The obligation of a licensed recruitment agency to its hired OFWs does not end upon their deployment to the worksite. The recruitment agency has the continuous obligation to ensure protection of workers, especially domestic workers," she said.

Source: VVP, GMA News

Story Type: News

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