“Cheats” singer Saab Magalona shared her anger over recruitment agencies upon knowing the story of her son’s current nanny who is a former overseas Filipina worker (OFW).
Magalona took to Twitter to share her experience after calling the nanny’s former recruitment agency to inquire about her passport, which was withheld from the former OFW for refusing to pay Php5,000 for her previous medical exam.
Magalona said the staff of the recruitment agency was “rude” and told her “‘Wag mo akong ine-English.”
Pancho’s yaya was a former OFW and today I asked her if she had a valid passport. She told me that her old agency was holding it and won’t release it unless she pays 5k for her medical exam. Called them to inquire and omg they were so rude!!! “Wag mo akong ine-english” levels!!?
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 3, 2018
The recruitment agency told Magalona that her nanny still needs Php3,350 for her medical exam, Php1,650 less than the original amount.
Magalona was in “anger and shock” since her nanny has already paid Php60,000 as placement fee, aside from the additional monthly payment of Php11,800 for 10 months.
“I can’t. We’ve been helping her with that loan cos wala na s’yang magagawa (she can’t do anything about it) she signed a contract but now that I spoke to the agency, they are really awful people,” said Magalona.
“Pancho’s yaya is an angel and I can’t believe they took advantage,” she added.
I am shaking with anger and shock. They said kailangan daw bayaran yung medical exam na 3,350 (idk why nagbago yung amount??). They are such scammers. Any advice on what I should do? Pancho’s yaya is an angel and I can’t believe they took advantage.
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 3, 2018
They made her loan 60k for a “placement fee” and they’re making her pay 11,880 monthly for 10 months. I can’t. We’ve been helping her with that loan cos wala na syang magagawa she signed a contract but now that I spoke to the agency, they are really awful people.
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 3, 2018
Magalona asked netizens for advice on what she should do to help her nanny. She also recognized that many overseas Filipino workers experienced being taken advantage of by recruitment agencies.
I am sure so many aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers are taken advantage of by a lot of agencies like this one!!!?
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 3, 2018
Magalona said she would contact the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to report the practices of her nanny’s recruitment agency.
Under the law
Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 states that withholding of documents of applicants is one of the provisions of illegal recruitment.
Illegal recruitment is punishable by six to 12 years in prison and fine of up to Php500,000. POEA encourages the public to report cases of illegal recruitment for investigation.
