Nowadays, life gets too tough. Bills keep on coming, unending debts, low salary with no benefits.
Then, you'll came up with a thought of going overseas. I would like to share these things I did before I go through the agencies may it be land-based or sea-based. These are just precautions to avoid dealing with illegal recruiters.
1. Make sure the Recruitment Agency has a valid license.
You can go to the nearest POEA Office or simply check over the POEA website
This is the homepage of the POEA website. Then look for the "search bar" then key in the Recruitment Agency name to confirm their legitimacy.
2. Take note of the agency's POEA Status
Upon successful search of the agency, take note of the POEA Status. You can easily notice it because it's italized and higlighted in red. Examples of POEA's comments were valid license, banned, delisted and suspended.
3. Transact only at their Business Address
Deal only at the designated adress. Illegal recruiters usually do it in a fast food chains and restaurants.
4. Read the POEA Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS)
This serves as your guideline if your agency is working on POEA regulations. There were seven modules to be taken and there's a post test before you could proceed with the next module.
5. Documents must be ready
Aspiring OFW must have passport, authenticated documents, birth certificates and etc. Your agency will give you the list of the requirements.
6. Every payment should have receipt
Please be guided accordingly, according to POEA the agency has the right to charge you with placement fee. And of course, official receipt must be isssued. If and only if the requires you to pay other transactions, kindly ask for official receipt. It's your right and proof that payment has been done. There were agencies charging beyond what is needed.
This was just a friendly reminder.😊 It's better to be safe than sorry.