The Department of Labor and Employment is intensifying its fight to curb illegal recruitment and human trafficking in all fronts, locally or overseas, to further safeguard the welfare of the Filipino workers from unscrupulous recruiters and syndicates.
In an administrative order, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has created a new task force against illegal recruitment, recruitment of minor workers, and trafficking in persons to avert workers from being victimized by people who employ nefarious means.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) disclosed that there are 156 victims of illegal recruitment from June 18 to October 2018 alone, which is an alarming case, considering that the reported cases happened in a short period of time.
“Despite efforts to eliminate illegal recruitment, trafficking in persons, and recruitment of minor workers, reports indicate that these social menaces continue to proliferate and pose continuing threats to Filipino workers,” said Undersecretary Jacinto Paras in a press briefing on Friday.
Among the general functions of the new group is to develop and execute strategies and schemes against the modus operandi of illegal recruiters, as well as recommend their prosecution to the labor secretary.
The task force has also the power to conduct surveillance and entrapment operations of persons believed engaged in illegal recruitment, and cause or direct the immediate investigation and speedy prosecution of cases involving the illegal recruitment.
For it to be effective, the task force will have National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to serve as its operational and law enforcement arm.
The group is headed by Undersecretary Jacinto Paras, with the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration as vice chair and the Director of Bureau of Local and Employment as member.
The other members of the task group include the heads of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), and Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns.
The creation of the task force is in line with the agenda of the labor department to have a more focused, concerted, coordinated, and effective programs of action to stop and eliminate illegal recruitment.
