The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has locked Kanou Japanese and English Academy, Inc. (Kanou), a Japanese language center in Davao City, after it positively offered jobs in Japan without a license or authority from the DMW.
In effect of the closure order, presided by DMW Assistant Secretary Jerome A. Alcantara, DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) Director Eric D. Dollete, at DMW Region XII OIC-Assistant Regional Director Labor Attache Marie Rose C. Escalada is the closure operation of 9th October, 2024
DMW-MWPB operatives conducted online and physical surveillance in Kanou, with an office in Davao City. It has been confirmed that applicants are required to undergo a language training program worth Php 24,000 in more than four months.
Applicants are being forwarded by Kanou to recruitment agencies and are promised to go to Japan through Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and Specified Skilled Worker Program (SSWP). Kanou staff collecting applicants requirements such as resume and passport copy. Some of the jobs offered by Kanou are as a housekeeper, caregiver, factory worker, welder, and farmer in Japan.
The owner and officers will face charges of “illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate” with life imprisonment and a fine of Php 2M to Php 5M. In addition, they will be included in the DMW List of Persons with Derogatory Record which will permanently ban them from recruiting.
The DMW also has a recommendation to cancel the business permit and revoke Kanou’s registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to completely stop their illegal activities.
Victims of Kanou may contact the MWPB office at (02) 8721-0619 or message here to assist in filing a case and provide free legal assistance.
This is the 15th establishment DMW has shut down against illegal recruitment for this year.