POEA warns agencies, applicants on use of spurious documents

Recruitment agencies and overseas job applicants were warned by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) against submitting fake or altered employment certificates.

The POEA issued the warning after receiving reports and complaints regarding fake or altered certificates of employment of Filipino nurses recruited and deployed for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

"The scheme, allegedly perpetrated by licensed recruitment agencies, and in some cases, with the acquiescence of applicants, involved in the submission of fake or altered employment certificates to reflect compliance with work experience and training requirements of employers,” read POEA's Memorandum Circular dated March 23.

"Primary source verification by employers, however, revealed that some applicants had not undergone or completed training programs, or had not been employed by medical institutions issuing such certifications,” it further read.

According to POEA, such scheme gravely endangers the welfare of Filipino nurses and exposes them to possible deportation, detention, and blacklisting, which could deny them future employment not only in Saudi Arabia and UAE but in other Gulf Cooperation Council member-states.

"In light of the above, all concerned recruitment agencies deploying nurses to the Middle East are hereby reminded... to select and deploy only medically fit and competent workers," said POEA.

The POEA said this includes adherence to ethical standards in the recruitment and deployment of workers.

It added that recruitment firms that will be found liable may be charged with violating existing rules and regulations on employment of land-based OFWs, such as engaging in acts of misrepresentation, furnishing false documents, and other violations of the Labor Code.

The Memorandum was signed by POEA Officer-inCharge Aristodes Ruaro.