scotsfiancee
11th August 2006, 06:52
19 travel agencies closed by POEA
Tourists recruited for overseas jobs
By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 03:11am (Mla time) 08/11/2006
Published on Page A17 of the August 11 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) yesterday said it has ordered the closure of 18 travel agencies in Metro Manila for violating the law.
According to POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, the travel agencies were recruiting Filipino workers for jobs overseas in violation of the Labor Code.
Article 26 prohibits all travel agencies and airline companies from engaging in the recruitment and placement of workers for overseas employment.
The travel agencies facing closure were Easy Travel Agency in Mandaluyong City, 1021 Travel and Tours, World Flight Travel and Tours, ASA Ventures and Enterprises, ASL Express Travel Inc., American Dream Travel and Tours and CSEJ Travel and Tours, all in Quezon City.
Also on the POEA’s list were Topaz Travel and Tours, Rymek Enter Inc., Melon Travel and Tours, Embassy Travel and Tours, Gem Travel and Tours, Top Make Agency, Roman Travel and Tours, Corinthian Travel and Tours, Fernandez Travel and Tours, Mt. Sinai Travel and Tours and Denmark Travel and Tours, all in Ermita and Malate, Manila.
Another travel agency in Mabalacat, Pampanga—Grandeur Travel and Tours—was also ordered shut for the same violation.
The POEA also blacklisted 50 people found to be involved in illegal recruitment or for violating recruitment regulations. Baldoz said charges would be filed against them in court.
Licensed recruitment agencies have been pushing for a crackdown on illegal recruiters, particularly travel agencies which have been sending people with tourist visas who want to work abroad.
The so-called “tourist workers” are often sent to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Japan and Iraq. Others leave for either Bangkok, Thailand or Singapore which they use as jump off points for their real destinations. Licensed recruiters have blamed unscrupulous airport and immigration employees for allowing these “tourist workers” to leave.
Baldoz, however, stressed that because of the constitutional right to travel, the government could not prevent anybody from leaving as long as they have a valid passport and visa.
She added that there is a need to forge agreements with other countries to stop the influx of illegally deployed and undocumented workers.
Tourists recruited for overseas jobs
By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 03:11am (Mla time) 08/11/2006
Published on Page A17 of the August 11 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) yesterday said it has ordered the closure of 18 travel agencies in Metro Manila for violating the law.
According to POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, the travel agencies were recruiting Filipino workers for jobs overseas in violation of the Labor Code.
Article 26 prohibits all travel agencies and airline companies from engaging in the recruitment and placement of workers for overseas employment.
The travel agencies facing closure were Easy Travel Agency in Mandaluyong City, 1021 Travel and Tours, World Flight Travel and Tours, ASA Ventures and Enterprises, ASL Express Travel Inc., American Dream Travel and Tours and CSEJ Travel and Tours, all in Quezon City.
Also on the POEA’s list were Topaz Travel and Tours, Rymek Enter Inc., Melon Travel and Tours, Embassy Travel and Tours, Gem Travel and Tours, Top Make Agency, Roman Travel and Tours, Corinthian Travel and Tours, Fernandez Travel and Tours, Mt. Sinai Travel and Tours and Denmark Travel and Tours, all in Ermita and Malate, Manila.
Another travel agency in Mabalacat, Pampanga—Grandeur Travel and Tours—was also ordered shut for the same violation.
The POEA also blacklisted 50 people found to be involved in illegal recruitment or for violating recruitment regulations. Baldoz said charges would be filed against them in court.
Licensed recruitment agencies have been pushing for a crackdown on illegal recruiters, particularly travel agencies which have been sending people with tourist visas who want to work abroad.
The so-called “tourist workers” are often sent to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Japan and Iraq. Others leave for either Bangkok, Thailand or Singapore which they use as jump off points for their real destinations. Licensed recruiters have blamed unscrupulous airport and immigration employees for allowing these “tourist workers” to leave.
Baldoz, however, stressed that because of the constitutional right to travel, the government could not prevent anybody from leaving as long as they have a valid passport and visa.
She added that there is a need to forge agreements with other countries to stop the influx of illegally deployed and undocumented workers.