No more exorbitant fees?
KOTA KINABALU: There is light at the end of the tunnel following the advice of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for Sabah Foreign Workers Employment Agency Association (Pappas) to be a registered recruitment agency of the Philippines here.
This was disclosed by Pappas president Anthony Leong Friday when asked to comment on the suggestion of Philippine Labour Attache ll Elizabeth Marie Estrada for the association to be her official partner in protecting the interest and welfare of Filipinos wishing to work in Sabah.
“It’s a laudable advice coming from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo)...we succumbed to the idea that the invitation will help address the prevailing problem of high service fees imposed by registered agents to Filipino applicants and local employers here,” Anthony said. He said the association affirmatively welcomed the measure and assured full support to achieve the goals and objectives of the joint endeavour.
In issuing the advice Wednesday, Estrada who is also Polo chief, stressed that the measure was vital in view of the increasing reported cases of registered recruitment agents in Sabah charging exorbitant service fees to their clients.
She also assured that her office would provide all the necessary assistance to Pappas if the advice received positive response.
“This is one effective way to address the high service fee charges which will be beneficial not only to the clients but also Malaysia and the Philippine governments,” she said.
“On our part, Pappas secretarygeneral Gabriel Lohuban also assured very minimal service fees will be charged to clients when transacting business with the association.
“We are aware and fully understand the predicaments of every Filipino wishing to work in Sabah as well as the financial burden to be incurred by the local employers.
“This is why we want service fees to be minimal, reasonable and acceptable to all parties concerned,” Gabriel stressed.
Both Anthony and Gabriel said they would brief all its members regarding the latest development and will continue to give priority to the interest and welfare of applicants and their respective employers when making the final decision.
They reiterated that collaboration between Pappas and Polo would not only be beneficial to employees and employers but also beneficial to both Malaysia and the Philippines.