MikeLigalig.com

The Philippine Star
Mayen Jaymalin

Most Filipino workers are paying excessive recruitment fees just so they could leave to work abroad.

Many local recruitment agencies are still collecting disproportionate fees despite existing laws prohibiting such practice, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reported Wednesday.

"About 78 percent of cases pending before the POEA involves collection of excessive placement fees," POEA chief Rosalinda Baldoz said.

Baldoz said in the first nine months of the year, the POEA has ordered the closure of 15 recruitment agencies for violation of the placement fee policy.

"We have cancelled the licenses of 15 agencies either for charging placement fees more than the amount allowed by Philippine laws or collecting fees for countries which prohibits such an act," she explained.

Under POEA rules, Baldoz said recruitment agencies are restricted from charging or accepting amounts greater than the supposed one month salary of the overseas Filipino worker.

Baldoz added that countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway and Netherlands do not allow collection of placement fees from foreign workers.

Filipino household workers are also exempted from paying placement fees.

"Any violation of these policies shall be grounds for cancellation or revocation of license," Baldoz stressed.

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