DMW CLOSES CONSULTANCY FIRM ILLEGALLY SENDING PINOYS IN POLAND

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday padlocked a Makati-based consultancy firm which was found out to be illegally sending Filipinos to work in factories in Poland.

According to DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, the company disguised sending of Filipino workers abroad as part of its “global migration training” service.

The agency’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), in coordination with the Makati police, shut down the office of BELMÜN Philippines Inc., located in Salcedo Village.

Based on investigations by the Migrant Workers Office in Prague (MWO-Prague) and the MWPB, the job consultancy firm partnered with undisclosed Philippine Overseas Employment Administration-registered agencies to send applicants to Poland.

DMW said applicants were asked for all-in payment of at least P165,000 for the processing of employment documents, visas, and referral to foreign partner agencies, excluding air fare.

The prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) paid an initial fee of P56,000 for the processing of work permits, with the remaining balance to be paid upon its issuance, which may take a year.

According to the DMW official, BELMÜN officers and staff members will charged with illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate, which is punishable by life imprisonment and fines ranging from P2 million to P5 million.

Olalia added that BELMÜN will also be included in DMW’s list of persons and establishments with derogatory record and will be blacklisted from participating in any government overseas recruitment program.