Beware of online job offers – POEA
Aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFW’s) should be wary of illegal recruiters when looking for employment opportunities through social media, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said. POEA administrator Hans Cacdac issued the warning yesterday after receiving reports that some erring recruitment agency are using the name of their office to victimize OFWs through online social media like Twitter and Facebook. "They should be careful when it comes to post, re-post, tweet, and retweet which is being spread in social media about so-called POEA approved jobs," Cacdac said in his official Twitter account. "Be skeptical. Don't immediately believe the job offers in social media, email, or the internet," he added. POEA advised applicants should always verify if the agency, which made the job offers, is government-registered by calling POEA's hotlines: 722-11-44 and 722-11-55 or visiting any of its offices or it partners agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Philippine National Police (PNP)., It said they could also check the status of a the recruitment agencies and its listed employees by going to its website at www.poea.gov.ph., visiting it official Facebook and Twitter accounts, or downloading the POEA mobile application for free in Google Play or App Store.
"POEA has a registry of all officials and employees of licensed recruiters," Cacdac said.
In case, the agency and its staff is registered under POEA, Cacdac said applicants should still insist in going to its office and meet is personnel in person before completing any transactions.
"They should not trust the recruiters, who only show themselves in social media, email or the internet... the negotiation should be done in the office of the recruiter registered to POEA," Cacdac said.
Lastly, Cacdac said another proof that the job offer is valid is if it will include an employment contract, work visa, and a POEA exit clearance.