Manila: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reiterated its warning to private recruitment and manning agencies to strictly adhere to ethical recruitment standards or risk losing their licenses.

According to Philippines News Agency, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that the DMW stands firm on its 'zero tolerance' policy for unethical recruiters, as the government intensifies efforts to protect millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from abuse and exploitation. Cacdac emphasized that the protection and welfare of OFWs is the utmost priority. He affirmed the decision of the former Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on resolved cases involving agencies found violating significant provisions of the rules designed to protect the rights and welfare of OFWs.

The affirmed decisions include the license cancellation of AMI Global Recruitment and Concept Placement Resources, Inc. in February 2023, and Bailey Corp. in March 2023, after they were found to have repeatedly violated contract provisions and engaged in deployment irregularities. These decisions were made in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Cacdac reminded licensed recruiters to be diligent in submitting authentic documents and to monitor the status of deployed workers abroad. He warned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including permanent license cancellation. The DMW urged agencies to respond immediately to workers' urgent concerns, stating that ethical recruitment is a shared responsibility that directly impacts the lives of Filipino families worldwide.

Cacdac reiterated, 'We are reminding our licensed recruitment and manning agencies to always safeguard the protection and well-being of our OFWs by ensuring strict compliance with our rules and regulations.'