The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has ordered the closure of a Misamis Oriental-based travel agency, which it said, is involved in illegal recruitment of Filipinos who want to work in Europe and Middle East.
DMW Assistant Secretary Francis Ron C. De Guzman implemented the order on Tuesday, June 25, by shutting down the operation of Jonieza Joy Travel and Tours Jonieza Joy Travel & Tours Agency & Consultancy located in Initao town.
“It was found illegally recruiting workers for deployment in Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Romania, Croatia, Malta, Greece, Canada, UK, Dubai and Saudi Arabia,” said de Guzman.
He said the operation stemmed from confirmed intelligence reports that the travel agency is illegally offering overseas jobs including welders, greenhouse workers, warehouse workers, drivers, factory workers, construction workers, service crew, cook, restaurant manager, and nurses.
Based on the report from a Filipino community, the agency offers a monthly salary of P35,000 to P40,000 with bonuses, night shift differential, free medical exam and food allocations.
It further promised to send their recruits to the destination country in five to eight months, in exchange for P190,000 up to P230,000 in processing and placement fees.
De Guzman said the DMW recommended the cancellation of the travel agency's business permit and the revocation of its registration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in order to put a stop on the prohibited activity and save future victims.
The owners and staff of the travel agency, according to De Guzman, will face charges of illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate with penalties of P2 million to P5 million and life imprisonment.
It will also be included in the DMW List of Persons with Derogatory Record which will effectively ban them from recruitment activities.