VP NOLI WARNS OFWs NOT TO FALL FOR 'VISIT VISA' MODUS OPERANDI OF ILLEGAL RECRUITERS
January 31, 2009

Vice President and presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (Offs) Noli “Kabayan” De Castro said yesterday that aspiring OFWs must not fall for the modus operandi (MO) of illegal recruiters who urge them to acquire visit visa with the promise that they will be issued work visa once they find employment.

“Please don’t get victimized by this modus operandi. Many OFWs leave the country relying on the assurance of employment but end up stranded. So, OFWs must secure an employment visa from their employers and not a tourist visa. Conversion of visa may only happen if the worker has an employment contract before he/she leaves the country which assures him/her of employment in the country of destination,” De Castro said.

This came after the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR) headed by De Castro was able to stop Friday (January 30) 50 aspiring OFWs from leaving for ABU DHABI. The group of OFWs, who were offloaded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and were caught by TFAIR operatives, were holding A 90-DAY TOURIST VISA and a letter addressed to the immigration office stating that these passengers will take up employment in Abu Dhabi.

The letter was reportedly signed by Philippine Consul in Abu Dhabi Adelio Cruz in which the latter allegedly stated that the employment visas of the said group will then be processed and related payments paid to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Chief Jennifer Manalili and even Overseas Workers Welfare Administrations (OWWA) Chief Carmelita Dimz0n clarified that the practice of changing the issued visit visa to employment visa upon arrival at the country of destination is not the proper procedure to follow by those who plan to work abroad upon their departure.

“We are now verifying from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) if the letter allegedly written by Consul Cruz was indeed made by him,” De Castro said.

De Castro has already asked DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos to look into the matter. According to POEA and OWWA, aspiring OFWs need to secure POEA Clearances prior to their departure from the Philippines.

“From our experience and records, the numerous OFW cases of abuses from their employers are of those who were deployed illegally. I am reminding our OFWs to follow strictly the POEA procedure in going about their overseas deployment. This is for your own good as our government can better protect and serve you while you work in a foreign land.

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