SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) advises those who are intending to work abroad to consider some tips for them to be safe.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas featuring the DMW on September 3 in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, DMW MIMAROPA OIC Regional Director Jonathan Gerodias elaborated on these tips as follows:
- Ready your passport.
Before getting excited about working outside the country and with all its accompanying perks, Gerodias said that one should first have a passport.
A passport is a travel document issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and is a must-have for anyone who needs to go abroad.
For first-time passport applicants, the list of requirements can be found in the link: https://dfa.gov.ph/100-passport-information/137-first-time-applicants
- Find a licensed recruitment agency offering approved job orders to avoid illegal recruitment and human trafficking
Gerodias strongly reminded all who aspire to work abroad to check if their recruitment agencies are licensed. They are advised to coordinate with their local Public Employment Service Officer (PESO) for verification or may visit the DMW’s website for the lists of licensed recruitment agencies: https://dmw.gov.ph/licensed-recruitment-agencies
Also, it is important to check if the employment opportunities offered by recruitment agencies are approved for job orders.
“[Halimbawa], kung nurse po ang approved job order [ng recruitment agency], hindi siya pwedeng mag-recruit ng caregiver. Recruitment violation, bawal po kaagad iyon,” Gerodias said.
(For example, if the approved job order is for a nurse, the recruitment agency is prohibited from hiring a caregiver. It is a recruitment violation.)
Approved job orders are posted online at the DMW’s website: https://dmw.gov.ph/approved-job-orders.
- House-to-house recruitment is illegal recruitment.
Gerodias said that accredited recruitment agents do not conduct house-to-house recruitments, and warned the public that even if these agents present an ID, or any document to prove their legitimacy, this kind of recruitment is illegal.
“The moment na nagbahay-bahay na po ang nagrerecruit…that is illegal recruitment. Bawal ho ‘yan,” he said.
To be recruited illegally is the last thing DMW wants when working abroad, hence, aspiring OFWs should make sure to go to the right channels when job hunting.
The DMW underscored that job fairs and special recruitment activities are allowed to offer overseas job opportunities.
- Check your skills with the job opening available.
In addition to being physically fit, one needs to be skill-fit for the job opening he or she is looking to apply to.
“Mayroon po tayong ganoong case na gusto niya maging welder, pero carpenter pala siya kasi nakita niya malaki sweldo ng welder,” Gerodias said.
(We have a case where a carpenter wanted to apply as a welder because the salary is competitive.)
- Prepare yourself and your family for this decision.
Working abroad means adjusting to a new culture, people, and habits. This may also mean you will not see your relatives and friends to help, so you need to prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, Gerodias added.
The DMW, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, conducts a pre-employment orientation seminar called Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-abroad every quarter to prepare aspiring overseas Filipino workers for the major aspects of working outside the country.
The DMW aids those who wish to pursue their careers abroad and recommends that they should file their application in their regional office, or through the PESO in their municipality, Gerodias said. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
