LABOR Attaché Jalilo dela Torre has temporarily stopped processing contracts from the top provider of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong after it was accused of offering non-existent jobs in the United Kingdom.
Dela Torre said he “put on hold” on June 20 the processing of contracts submitted by Emry’s employment agency after eight Filipino domestic workers accused it of violating the Philippine government’s ban on third-country deployment.
“Pinaexplain natin pero wala pang explanation. We’re asking (the owner) to explain kung bakit nagrecruit (for UK),” Dela Torre said in an interview.
“Kung wala siyang sagot, we will forward that to the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) with our recommendation—either cancellation (of license) or suspension,” he added.
The agency allegedly offered jobs in the United Kingdom to at least 200 applicants who paid $10,000 each.
Dela Torre told Hong Kong News earlier that he checked with the POLO in London and discovered that there were no job orders for the work Emry’s was offering.
“Public interest yan. Ang daming nagrereklamo (pero) hanggang ngayon wala pang nadedeploy, pinapahintay hanggang October,” he said.
Emry’s is said to be the biggest provider of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong, submitting an average of eight contracts to the POLO every day.
POLO records showed that, since January this year, Emry’s had submitted 676 FDH contracts, including 614 new contracts, four renewals, and 58 transfers.
The owner of Emry’s had insisted to POLO officials that she did not intend to dupe the jobseekers and promised that she would refund the applicants.
She also complained about the POLO decision to stop the processing contracts submitted by Emry’s, saying that this was done “without due process.”
Dela Torre said Emry’s also asked that it be given 14 days to reply to the charges of third-country deployment.
He said the agency has until July 4 to reply.
“They’ve asked for 14 days from the receipt of the letter (putting the processing of contracts on hold). We will forward the reply and copies of the complaint sa POEA for appropriate action,” he said.
Dela Torre said the POLO could also forward the complaints to the Labour Department, especially those who do not get a refund.
“What the complainants can do is they can file sa Labour Department or the EAA (Employment Agencies Administration) or the police kasi nga nakabayad na sila wala pa ring (trabaho),” he said.
Dela Torre also reminded Filipinos in Hong Kong to “stop believing ads” from agencies here offering jobs in other countries.
“Ang importante is to stop patronizing or believing in those ads for third country deployment. Ilang beses na naming sinabi yan pero ayaw maniwala,” he said.
Dela Torre said the POLO will be publishing online the names of agencies it has accredited so that FDHs and employers would know who are the legitimate recruiters.
He also reminded the public that “third-country recruitment” is considered illegal by the Philippine government.
“Again, third-country deployment is illegal because those agencies that are doing third country recruitment and deployment are not licensed to do so by the POEA,” Dela Torre said.
“Our OFWs in Hong Kong should be wary about these agencies. Ilang beses na namin nilalabas ito. Walang mapapala pag third-country (recruitment),” he added.
One complainant, who went to the POLO on June 28, said she was terminated after she told her employer that she was applying for a job in the UK.
She said she paid Emry’s $10,000 in March.
“Magparefund ako kasi na####ap ako ng job pero mahirap kasi break ako,” the worker said in an interview before she went to the Philippine Consulate General -Assistance to Nationals Section to have her complaint notarized.
She said she exited to mainland China and came back here as a tourist so that she could pursue her claim against Emry’s.
“May malaki raw na company na hahawak sa UK. Sabi niya two to three months magkaroon kami ng job order pero hindi naman dumating,” she added.
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