Question & AnswerQ&A (ADVISORY NO. 17, S. 2018)
OFWs, particularly nurses working in Damman, Eastern Saudi Arabia, who have been criminally charged and imprisoned for submitting falsified certificates of employment.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has engaged Data Flow, a Singaporean-based company, to verify the authenticity of employment documents including certificates of employment and professional licenses.
Submitting fabricated employment documents may result in dismissal from employment, criminal prosecution, and imprisonment, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The POEA advises workers to submit only truthful and authentic employment documents.
OFWs are advised to report such individuals or recruitment agencies to the POEA.
Recruitment agencies are obligated to ensure that all employment documents submitted by their applicants are genuine.
Recruitment agencies may face appropriate administrative and criminal charges if they fail to ensure the authenticity of employment documents.
Documents subject to verification include certificates of employment, professional licenses, skills certificates, and similar documents.
The advisory aims to prevent violation of laws relating to fraud and submission of false documents which can lead to criminal prosecution and imprisonment under Philippine and foreign laws applicable to OFWs.