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DMW shuts down Pampanga-based travel agency for illegal recruitment

Philippines | National

DMW shuts down Pampanga-based travel agency for illegal recruitment

By Aaron Recuenco

photo: DMW

Authorities shut down on Thursday, April 3, the operation of a Pampanga-based travel agency which allegedly engaged in illegal recruitment of Filipinos for various jobs in Bulgaria.

The Yatra Travel Agency located in San Fernando City is the 9^th establishment that was ordered closed by the government, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

“The closure order was issued after it was found engaging in unauthorized recruitment activities without the necessary license from the DMW,” said Cacdac.

Based on the information received by the DMW, Yatra Travel is offering job opportunities in Bulgaria for positions as factory workers in the automobile and textile industries.

The job salary offer ranges from P90,000 to P110,000 per month.

But Cacdac said the agency charges exorbitant processing fees between P400,000 and P500,000.

He said applicants are required to pay P50,000 as a down payment for a slot or reservation, with the remaining balance due after the completion of the required documents, before deployment.

Such a modus, according to the DMW, makes the travel agency liable for illegal recruitment and misrepresentation.

“The DMW also placed the company’s key officers on its blacklist and permanently barred them from participating in any overseas recruitment activities,” said Cacdac, adding that they are also preparing legal actions against the company’s officers.

He said the DMW also recommended the cancellation of the company’s business permit in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Meanwhile, Cacdac urged the victims of the travel agency to report their cases to the MWPB through the official hotline (+63 2 8721-0619), email ([email protected]), or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip) for assistance in filing complaints.

Related Tags

illegal recruitment DMW

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