Thursday, June 09, 2011

Gov. Creates Anti-Illegal Recruitment/Human Trafficking Task Force


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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