Due to the several cases reported of syndicated illegal recruitment and human trafficking that had been affecting some Aklanons, Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez created the Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Human Trafficking Task Force. In an Executive Order No. 011, Series of 2011, Marquez spelled out the 14 functions of the Task Force.
They are to: 1. receive complaints on illegal recruitment and human trafficking; 2. provide legal assistance to victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking as well as their families; 3. facilitate the investigation of reported cases of illegal recruitment and human trafficking; 4. conduct monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement of applicable laws on illegal recruitments and human trafficking; 5. coordinate with OWWA, POEA, and DFA on matters pertaining to search, rescue, repatriation, and other related tasks pertaining to victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking; 6. provide medical assistance to victims of illegal recruitments and human trafficking;
7. provide economic and other material support to victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking as well as their families; 8. provide logistical support to law enforcement agencies pursuant to anti-illegal recruitment and anti-human trafficking operations; 9. undertake a comprehensive media campaign to raise awareness level of Aklanons on issues of illegal recruitment and human trafficking; 10. undertake the involvement of local government units in a social awareness campaign on issue of illegal recruitment and human trafficking; 11. provide livelihood programs, counseling services and placement services to victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking; 12. conduct seminars on schools on the issues of illegal recruitment and human trafficking; 13. prosecute violators of illegal recruitment and human trafficking; and 14. provide means for witness protection program.
The task force is lead by its chairman who is the provincial governor and his co-chairman, the provincial prosecutor of Aklan. The members are the PNP provincial director; regional directors of the OWWA, POEA & DFA, Provincial heads of DOLE, PIA, DILG, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer; District Public Attorney, and Provincial legal officer.
This task force creation is effective as of May 5, 2011.
Ms. Vivian Ruiz-Solano, Aklan Provincial Public Employment Service Office Manager released to the public 15 ways (don’ts) to follow to prevent illegal recruitment. These are: 1. do not apply at recruitment agencies not licensed by POEA; 2. do not deal with licensed agencies without job orders; 3. do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency; 4. do not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority; 5. do not pay more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentations and processing costs;
6. do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt; 7. do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to a post office (P.O.) box, and to enclose payment for processing of papers; 8. do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment; 9. do not accept a tourist VISA; 10. do not deal with fixers;
11. be very skeptical of overseas employment opportunities that sound "too good to be true"; 12. beware of an agency that is unwilling to give you a written contract; 13. do not hesitate to ask questions. You have a right to know what services to expect and the costs involved; 14. do not make a hasty decision. Instead, take time to weigh all the pros and cons of the situation. Be wary of demands that "you must act now"; and 15. keep a copy of all agreements you signed, as well as copies of documents you forwarded to the company. /MP
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