DMW Secretary Issues Strong Warning on Illegal Recruitment Red Flags
In a critical advisory for job-seeking Filipinos, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has emphasized that the absence of a recruitment license from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) should be considered the foremost indicator of illegal recruitment activities. This stern warning comes as the government intensifies efforts to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from deceptive practices.
Vigilance Against Face-to-Face and Online Tactics
Secretary Cacdac urged Filipinos to remain highly alert against both in-person and digital strategies employed by illegal recruiters and organized syndicates. "We have been warning against illegal recruitment for a long time. Our warning is simple: if it does not go through the DMW, that is the number one red flag," he stated firmly. This clear guideline aims to empower individuals to identify fraudulent offers early in the process.
Heightened Risks in Social Media Recruitment
The secretary specifically highlighted the dangers associated with recruitment conducted through social media platforms. "If the person you are talking to is all Telegram, Facebook, or social media, it is clearly a scam," Cacdac cautioned. He explained that job offers propagated via these channels are often linked to more severe criminal activities, including cyberfraud schemes that have proliferated across Southeast Asia.
These operations frequently trap victims in scam hubs, where they face exploitation instead of legitimate employment opportunities. The warning underscores the need for extreme caution when engaging with online job postings that seem too good to be true.
Context: Recent Repatriation from Cambodia
The department's alert follows the recent repatriation of 190 distressed OFWs from Cambodia. According to the DMW, a majority of these individuals were initially recruited through enticing online job offers, only to find themselves ensnared in fraudulent schemes upon arrival. This incident highlights the real-world consequences of falling prey to illegal recruitment tactics.
Secretary Cacdac's message serves as a crucial reminder for all Filipinos aspiring to work abroad to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies through official DMW channels before committing to any agreements.
