90% of OFWs in Syria Undocumented

Ninety percent out of the estimated 17,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Syria are undocumented, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Most of the OFWs in Syria work as domestic workers and are victims of illegal recruitment.

Even as the DFA has raised the alert level to 3, which means voluntary repatriation, many of the OFWs can’t just leave their employers because they are undocumented.

ABS-CBN spoke to “Eleanor” who works as a domestic worker in Syria. Eleanor regrets going to Syria, especially now that her life is in danger.

“150 dollars or P6,000 lang po ang sahod ko pero buhay ko naman ang nakataya,” she said.

Eleanor added she was promised 200 dollars but turned out that her salary was only $150.

She said she is a victim of illegal recruitment just like thousands of OFWs in Syria who now face an uncertain future.

10 commandments vs illegal recruitment

To avoid being victimized by illegal recruitment, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) came out with “The 10 commandments to avoid illegal recruitment”.

1. Do not apply at recruitment agencies not licensed by POEA.
2. Do not deal with licensed agencies without job orders.
3. Do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency.
4. Do not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority.
5. Do not pay more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs.
6. Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt.
7. Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to a Post Office (P.O.) Box, and to enclose payment for processing of papers.
8. Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment.
9. Do not accept a tourist visa.
10. Do not deal with fixers.

POEA Administrator Carlos Cao warned potential OFWs not to fall prey to illegal recruiters and end up being undocumented.

“Dapat, siguruhin na documented sila. Kasi pag nagka-problema, madali silang hanapin ng embahada. Kasi kung di dokumentado, mahirap silang tulungan,” Cao said.

Redeployed repatriates

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