GOVPH

PHL Embassy in Moscow Reiterates Warning Against Illegal Recruitment

Consul Jeff Valdez (in white) and Assistance to Nationals Officer Christian Baggas (wearing ballcap) discussing possible options available to victims of illegal recruitment (Photo courtesy of C. Del Mundo)

29 June 2017 MOSCOW — The Philippine Embassy in Moscow reiterated its warning against illegal recruitment through a post in social media (Philconsular Moscow on Facebook) on June 26.  The Embassy emphasized that cases have been filed in the Philippines against Filipinos in Russia involved in illegal recruitment.

The Embassy’s post contained links to sites (http://www.poea.gov.ph/air/whatisair.html and http://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph) that contained information on the crime of illegal recruitment.

“We’ve had increased cases of Filipinos in Russia recruiting Filipinos for household jobs in Russia. But there is no visa category for household workers here and Filipinos end up improperly documented and placed at risk because they can be detained, fined, and deported for violating Russian immigration laws,” said Philippine Ambassador to Russia, Carlos D. Sorreta.  He added that “holders of commercial and tourist visas are not allowed to work in Russia.”

“We have also seen an increase in Russian authorities implementing its immigration laws. We provide every assistance to protect the safety and welfare of Filipinos. In some cases, we were able to avoid long detentions and deportations.  In others we had to provide repatriation assistance,” the Ambassador added.

The Philippine Embassy is coordinating with other Philippine diplomatic and consular posts as well as the concerned agencies in the Philippines to help address this pressing issue.

In its Facebook post, the Embassy also pointed out that “Ang dapat po nating tandaan, kung ang taong nag-aalok sa atin ng trabaho o visa ay hindi lisensyado ng POEA, maaari po itong ituring na illegal recruitment. Napakalawak po ng saklaw ng depinisyon ng illegal recruitment.” (We must remember if the person offering a job or visa is not licensed by POEA, this can be considered illegal recruitment).  The Embassy’s post was positively received in comments to the post.

In several cases on illegal recruitment, the Philippine Supreme Court stated: “Clearly, given the broad definition of recruitment and placement, even the mere act of referring someone for placement abroad can be considered recruitment. Such act of referral, in connivance with someone without the requisite authority or POEA license, constitutes illegal recruitment. In its simplest terms, illegal recruitment is committed by persons who, without authority from the government, give the impression that they have the power to send workers abroad for employment purposes.”

Ambassador Sorreta said that the Philippine Government is working closely with the Russian Government to find a long term solution.  He added that there is a serious need to prevent any further deployment of illegally recruited Filipino.

“Putting the brakes on illegal recruitment and the grave abuse of Russian visas will go a long way towards our efforts at strengthening our dialogue with the Russian government,” Ambassador Sorreta explained.

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph. END

Philippine Embassy in Moscow’s latest public advisory posted on its official Facebook account.