Reported Incidents Highlighting Risks
- Two cases were reported by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Canada involving Filipina caregivers who arrived without genuine employers:
- One worker faced deportation due to discrepancies between her employer and the one listed in her work permit.
- Another worker was subjected to abuse and could not file a formal complaint for fear of deportation.
- These incidents illustrate the vulnerabilities of OFWs when employers are not authentic or verified.
Mandatory Verification of Employment Contracts
- OFWs intending to work as caregivers in Canada must have their employment contracts verified by POLO.
- Verification takes place at the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices located within Philippine embassies in the worker’s current country of employment.
- The purpose is to authenticate the employer and ensure legitimacy before departure.
Legal Rationale and Protection Measures
- Verification is a government-prescribed safeguard designed to protect Filipino workers from exploitation.
- It combats illegal recruitment and prevents the practice where foreign recruiters use third countries as launching points for jobs, including those for caregivers to Canada.
Reporting and Enforcement Mechanism
- The public is urged to report any illegal recruitment practices involving agencies or individuals to the POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch.
- Contact numbers provided: (63.2) 721.0619 and (63.2) 721.0650.
Guiding Authority
- The advisory was issued for the information and guidance of all concerned, under the authority of Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, Administrator of POEA, on September 5, 2007.