THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to remain vigilant against ‘third country recruitment’ schemes orchestrated by illegal recruiters and syndicates operating on social media platforms.
Reports from the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, have flagged possible human trafficking incidents involving Filipino nationals in Nigeria and other countries in West Africa.
According to these reports, several Filipinos were arrested in Abuja and Lagos on charges of cybercrime, economic sabotage, and violations of Nigerian immigration laws.
They were reportedly recruited from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and traveled to Nigeria on tourist visas, falsely believing their work permits would be processed upon arrival.
The DMW noted the Nigerian government does not permit the conversion of tourist visas for employment purposes.
Filipinos intending to work in Nigeria must secure a Subject to Regularization (STR) visa from the Nigerian Embassy in the Philippines before deployment.
Recruitment through a third country is illegal if the recruiter or employer lacks proper authorization from the Philippine government.
To safeguard their rights and welfare, OFWs must obtain overseas employment documents exclusively through DMW-accredited recruitment agencies. This ensures access to benefits, protection from labor exploitation and assistance during emergencies.
The DMW urged OFWs and aspiring overseas workers to exercise caution when considering job offers found on social media. — Chloe Marie A. Hufana
