The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) simultaneously closed at least three branches of a consultancy firm for alleged illegal recruitment activities of hiring Filipino truck drivers and factory workers to Poland.
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople ordered the closure of Idplumen Travel Consultancy Services in San Fernando Pampanga and its two offices in Santiago City, Isabela and in Tabuk City, Kalinga. The DMW shuttered the agency with the cooperation of the concerned local government unit joined by the local police.
The DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch (AIRB) revealed that the agency is not licensed with the POEA to engage in the recruitment of workers abroad.
“Again, let me reiterate this warning. We at the DMW have zero tolerance for illegal recruiters and human traffickers. Walang karapatang mag recruit ng mga tao si Idplumen because it is neither licensed with the POEA, nor does it have any approved job orders,” Ople said.
Surveillance operations revealed that Idplumen, under the guise of providing consultation services, has been offering jobs in Poland for truck drivers, welders, and factory workers with a salary ranging from P35,000 up to P124,000 per month.
Also, the firm has been collecting P122,000 for processing fees of applicants under two options of regular payment and the “fly now, pay later scheme”.
Ople ordered the filing of Illegal recruitment charges against the Idplumen and encourage the victims to report their case against the firm.
With its closure, Ople also said Idplumen and its staff will be included in the department’s “List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record.” Those included in said list are barred from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program, aside from facing illegal recruitment charges.