Recruiters / Recruitment Agencies

They are middlemen in finding employers and giving them workers. It is easier to go to a recruiter or recruitment agency instead of finding work yourself because most of the time, recruitment agencies advertise and have many contacts abroad.

Be CAREFUL

There are lots of illegal recruitment / illegal recruiters lurking around willing to take your money. To make sure that the recruiter or recruitment agency is legitimate (authentic), here are a list of sites where you can enter the name of the recruitment agency to know if they are real or fake.

You may also use this lists to find recruitment agencies near you.

• VERIFY Recruitment Agency List of POEA
• Search For Recruitment Agency

If you don’t find the name on POEA’s website you should be careful.

OFW Services & Procedure

Here is the link where you can get all the necessary instructions and files to file your application. Just visit this link.

• Applying for Korea
• Guidelines of Recruitment & Deployment to Canada
• Temporary Work in Canada
• For Returning Workers
• For Seafarer’s / Seaman
• Direct Hires for Household Workers

A top level Guam Senate team visited the country last week to finalize details on the hiring of 20,000 Filipino skilled workers for the construction of military headquarters in Guam beginning July 2010, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said.

Guam Senators Judith P. Guthertz and Rory J. Respicio held high level talks with Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque and Administrators Jennifer Manalili of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The two legislators also met with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Augusto Syjuco.

Guthertz chairs the Guam legislature’s committee on Guam U.S. military buildup. She is also Guam’s homeland security assistant majority leader. Respicio chairs the Guam legislature committee on rules, natural resources, federal foreign and Micronesia affairs majority leader.

Roque said the visit of the Guam delegation to the country indicated Guam’s preference and intent to hire OFWs to meet its manpower requirements for the relocation and construction of U.S. military facilities from Okinawa to Guam in the next five years.

He said military construction in Guam is scheduled to start in July 2010, which means that hiring and deployment of OFWs to Guam could be simultaneous as construction begins or could even be earlier than July next year.

He said Guam would initially need engineers, architects, allied professionals, and skilled construction workers. But as military buildup continues coupled with the relocation of more military personnel and their families from Okinawa to Guam, it is envisioned that this island U.S territory may also hire OFWs in the service and healthcare sectors.

In view of the bright prospects for OFWs in Guam, Roque said the DOLE and POEA have specified an action agenda for the deployment of OFWs to Guam. On top of the agenda are the adoption of a standard employment contract and the setting up of guidelines on the deployment of Guam-bound OFWs.

POEA is expected to come up with the standard contract and deployment guidelines before the year ends, in accordance with U.S. laws which include the U.S. H2B rule prohibiting the charging of recruitment fee from foreign workers.

Roque said OFWs wanting to work in Guam should be wary of recruiters who may charge them fees, which is a violation of U.S. laws. He reiterated his calls on OFWs to check first with POEA the veracity of overseas job offers and to report to the authorities recruiters charging prohibitive recruitment fees.

Source: DOLE

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said that more than 1,400 employers are actively joining the biggest job fair in the country’s history set during the historic celebration of the 111th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence beginning June 12.

The latest preliminary report reaching Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque, showed that the employers, collectively, will make available almost 400,000 productive local, overseas, and government employment opportunities to new graduates and other job seekers during the nationwide, three-day event dubbed as the “Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job and Livelihood Fair.”

The figure is expected to rise further prior to and during Independence Day. So far, the participating employers include 271 government agencies offering some 62,233 job vacancies, 761 private local employers offering 63,044 job vacancies, and 436 overseas recruitment agencies offering 273,830 land and sea-based opportunities.

Roque said that no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will lead the nationwide commemoration of the 111th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 2009 on the timely and appropriate theme of, “Kagitingan, Kagalingan, at Kasipagan: Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan.”

The Labor and Employment Chief said that the three-day main Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job & Livelihood Fair will commence on June 12 until June 14, 2009 at the Rizal Park in Manila, as well as in other convenient venues in 16 regions around the Philippines.

Roque cited the country’s Three Plus (3+) Social Partners (labor, management, government and other sectors) for joining hands with the DOLE in its effort to lead and ensure the success of the country’s 111th Independence Day celebrations, as well as specific sponsors who include the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) and others, for lending their hand in the country’s biggest job fair for the benefit of new graduates and job seekers.

At the Rizal Park, the main job fair, under the supervision of the DOLE’s National Capital Region (NCR) Office, complemented by the Bureau of Local Employment and the BLE-supervised PHIL-JobNet system (www.phil-job.net), along with other agencies, will proceed Infront of the Quirino Grandstand from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, as follows:

- June 12 (Day 1) - Job Fair for Employment in Government Agencies, which will offer various vacancies including regular positions for job seekers with Civil Service Eligibility and other qualifications, AFP-enlisted personnel positions, as well as short-term emergency employment;

- June 13 (Day 2) - Job Fair for Local Employment, which will highlight jobs in call centers, BPOs, IT services, wholesale and retail, construction, food and beverages, catering, hotels and restaurants, travel and tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and agri-related businesses, and real estate; and,
- June 14 (Day 3) - Job Fair for Overseas Employment, which will feature vacancies for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in land- and sea-based positions from various host nations overseas.

The Labor Chief also said that on top of the main job fair in Luneta for the benefit of job seekers in the National Capital Region (NCR), the various DOLE Regional Offices (ROs) nationwide will supervise job and livelihood fairs in their respective regional areas, as follows:

CAR: June 12-14 / Baguio Convention Center;

Region 1: June 12-14 / CSI City Mall, San Fernando City;

Region 2 - June 12-14 / Cagayan National High School Mamba Gym, Tuguegarao;

Region 3 - June 12-13 / Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, Malolos; and June 14 - Event Center, SM City, Baliuag;

Region 4-A - June 12-14 / Calamba City Hall, Laguna; June 12 - Kawit Aguinaldo Shrine, Cavite; June 13-14 - Imus Plaza, Cavite; Region 4-B - June 12 / Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro / Calapan City;

Region 5 - June 12-14 / Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City;

Region 6 - June 12-14 / Amigo Plaza Mall Activity Center, Iloilo City;

Region 7 - June 12-14 / SM Cebu City;

Region 8 - June 12-13 / Astrodome, Tacloban City;

Region 9 - June 12 / Summit Center Universidad de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City; June 13 / Molave Gymnasium, Zamboanga del Sur; June 14 / Siay Gymnasium, Zamboanga Sibugay;

Region 10 - June 11-12 / Provincial Capitol Ground, Cagayan de Oro City; June 13-14 / SM Car Park, Cagayan de Oro City;

Region 11 - June 12-14 / NCC Mall, Matina, Davao City;

Region 12 - June 12-14 / Rizal Park, Koronadal City; June 13-14 / KCC Mall Convention Center, Gen. Santos City; CARAGA - June 12-14 / Almond Inland Hotel, Butuan City, and; ARMM - June 12, 2009 / Shariff Aguak.

The specific sponsors to the DOLE-led Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job & Livelihood Fair are Globe-Abot Mo ang Mundo; Asia Brewery; FFCCCII; AMA Education System; Philippine Airlines; RFM Corporation; New Job Market of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor); PHIL-JobNet; and the City of Manila.

Government Agencies To Join Job Fair & Conduct Recruitment on June 12

For the first time, some 85 government agencies including the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will participate and offer more than 47,000 vacancies in the three-day job and livelihood fair which will be held over the weekend in 19 cities nationwide as part of this year’s celebration of the 111th anniversary of Philippine independence.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said the participating government agencies would conduct the recruitment of qualified applicants on June 12, the first day of the three-day event dubbed Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job and Livelihood Fair. The second and third day of the job fair on June 13 and 14 would feature employers and recruitment agencies offering vacancies for local and overseas employment, respectively.

Roque paved the way for the participation of the government agencies in the Kalayaan job fair, which in the past involved only private sector employers seeking skills that meet their requirements.

For the first time, the government will open its vacancies to the public through the Independence Day job fair, Roque said noting that its participation in the job fair would attract more applicants and, thus, enable it to widen its search for the best skills and talents who can contribute in running a more effective bureaucracy.

The participating government agencies would offer thousands of unfilled regular plantilla positions for jobseekers with civil service eligibility, PRC license, and other qualifications. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has the biggest number of unfilled vacancies at 12,000.

Representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would also be at the fair to entertain individuals who want to join the military.

The public sector agencies would also offer more than 30,000 short-term emergency employment for displaced workers, unemployed youth, and jobseekers seeking clerical, technical, and entry-level positions. Topping the agencies with the highest number of available emergency jobs is Department of Education with almost 9,000 followed by the DENR with 675, DND with 3,134, DOLE with 2,581, and DTI with 1,335.

Roque said the hiring of temporary workers by government agencies is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s emergency employment program which is being implemented along with pump priming efforts aimed at helping the people cope with the global economic downturn.

He said the President issued Executive Order No. 782 directing all government offices including local government units, government-owned corporations and state schools at the provincial and regional levels to employ temporary workers using 1.5% of their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).

To facilitate job matching and placement, Roque asked jobseekers to register with the Kalayaan 2009 job fair by logging on to http://phil-job.net for pre-screening by participating employers.

Aside from job matching, the job fair would also allow jobseekers to obtain pre-employment documentation services from the SSS, NBI, NSO, BIR, and DFA. There will also be legal assistance, Libreng Tawag for OFWs (c/o Globe), and technology and skills demonstration as well as livelihood assistance for workers who want to engage in alternative income sources.

Meanwhile, the Kalayaan Concert to be conducted at the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, Rizal Park, Manila on the evening of June 12, will feature Filipino international singing sensation Ms. Charisse Pimpengco. The late celebrity actor, host and rap singer Mr. Francis Magalona will also be honored for his work that has spawned patriotic ardor among the Filipino youth.

Despite being shaken by the global economic crunch, Korea will continue to hire Filipino workers.

This after Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque and his Korean counterpart, Minister Lee Younghee, signed on 30 May 2009 the Memorandum of Understanding on the Employment Permit System (EPS) which could send up to 5,000 OFWs to Korea within the next ten months.

Witnessed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the two labor chiefs signed the MOU at the Blue House, venue of the bilateral meeting between Arroyo and Lee.

In a recent survey conducted by the Korea Labor Ministry, Filipinos ranked first in terms of ability to adopt to the Korean society and second in communication skills.

Under the new MOU, the minimum standards set by the Philippine government, such as free accommodation, are ensured thru the POEA’s authority to review contract offers of employers. It likewise minimizes pre-departure cancellation of employment contracts and pre-termination of existing ones by disqualifying employers as well as workers with derogatory records.

Filipino workers also will continue to enjoy pension coverage pursuant to the National Pension Law and shall be entitled to equal treatment with that of Korean workers, including minimum wage and insurance protection.

Aside from the MOU on EPS, the two labor chiefs signed an MOU on Labor and Manpower Development which provides, among others, for the training of workers on-site to better prepare them for their eventual return to the Philippines. There will be exchanges, too of trainers and experts and development of curricula to improve vocational education and training.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) particularly those in the construction, oil and gas, hotels, and in the medical and other services sectors are needed in Libya, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque cited a report from Labor Attache Nasser S. Mustafa of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tripoli which showed that various companies in Libya are currently recruiting thousands of OFWs and even expected to recruit more OFWs in the coming years.

Roque said that for this year, more than 16,000 job opportunities in Libya are available for OFWs as this country continues to be in need of foreign workers for its numerous development projects.

He said that while jobs were lost in countries affected by the global economic crisis, the employment situation in Libya remains upbeat and highly favorable for OFWs.

He said Libya is impervious of the harsh effects of the global crisis due largely to its oil resources, noting that its government continuously focuses on this country’s development with vigor.

Libya is a wealthy nation due to its oil reserves, which is largest in North Africa. Its small population of about six million has enabled its government to provide subsidies and embark on massive development projects funded by huge oil revenues that offer continuous employment opportunities for OFWs.

Right now, Roque said Libya focuses on the construction aspect of its development. He said that Korean firms like Daewoo, Hyundai, and Al Nahr are currently recruiting thousands of OFWs for their development and construction projects in Libya.

He said these firms need Filipino engineers, other professionals, and skilled construction workers for the construction of Libya’s man-made river, hotels, power plants, housing units, and road and renovation projects. Oil firms in Libya have also signified their intention to recruit professionals and skilled oil and gas workers from the Philippines.

The DOLE Chief said that Labor Attache Mustafa is constantly conducting meetings with these companies as well as with other firms in Libya in need of foreign workers to pave the way for the recruitment and deployment of OFWs with appropriate skills to this country.

Roque also noted that the ongoing frenzied construction projects particularly on the establishment of hotels in Libya would mean more employment opportunities for OFWs in the hotel and tourism related sectors in this country.

He said Libya, which is along the Mediterranean and strategically located to serve as transit point for tourists traveling between Africa and Europe, may also in the near future recruit Filipino hotel and related workers to man its developing tourism industry.

Roque added that Filipino doctors and nurses and other medical workers may also be deployed soon to Libya. He said the POLO in Tripoli has started talks with the Libyan health ministry for the recruitment of around 4,000 Filipino medical workers for the Tripoli and Benghazi Medical Centers and other hospitals and clinics in Libya.

The Tripoli-based POLO is also looking up to opportunities for OFWs in Algeria, Chad, Malta, and Morocco particularly in hotel, oil and gas, and technical services sectors.

“The employment prospects in Libya and nearby nations are favorable for OFWs as they continue to be the preferred choice among foreign employers,” Roque said noting that OFWs have become popular abroad not only for their skills, industry, adaptability, and facility with the English language but also especially for their cheery disposition.

Keep in touch with the latest job openings in the philippines by subscribing. Just enter your email address and you will receive updates on this site.

In applying online, make sure that you know how to properly do a job search. The first thing you need to do is to look job sites or job boards. These sites usually provide free membership for both applicants and job seekers. Since, you are the job seeker, make use of this opportunity to apply to most companies and positions that best suit your qualifications.  You have to remember that you need to put all necessary details, like your contact details, skills and competencies, and professional experiences. They must be all truthful.

The next step is search on the job listing sites; this is similar to the classified ads section of a newspaper. From here, you can see all the possible companies and positions that you want best. Of course, it imperative that you forward your resume to the prospective employers that you saw in the listing, otherwise, you will not land a job. Make sure that you follow the application instruction indicated in the post, because most of the time, employers use this to check on your skills to follow instruction.

Another option that you can use to search for your dream job is to avail a candidate submittal services. This is the counterpart of job placement or manning agencies. The benefit of using this method is that you can have professional advice on your application. For instance, the candidate submittal services will do the formatting your resume in accordance to the requirement of your prospective company. This way, the company will have an impression that you are professional and aware of their standards. Another good thing, about this is that you will be the one to select for the position you want. A charge or fee is collected from you but some submittal services return certain amount of the fee upon successful placement.

Since you are now ready and aware of the available possibilities to submit your application via the internet, then you must know how to write or format your resume that fits online application. In doing this, you must keyword your resume. Most companies use programs that filter resumes by keywords, so it is important that you use exact terms. Clearly specify your skills.
If you are applying through the company’s email, attach your resume in Word format. It means never use pdf or txt files. If possible always include a cover letter. This will serve as your sales letter, so make sure to put all relevant details on the cover letter. Make yourself, saleable. Another important note is to proofread your application, don’t ever write misspelled word. Read, revise and rewrite your resume and cover letters, in order to refine their contents.

Applying for a job or doing a job search is both easy and complicated. It is easy because, internet is here to guide you in preparing yourself for the real world. Online tools are also available so you can apply to as many companies and positions as you want. You don’t need to go out everyday and pass applications to your prospective employers. You can reach even the most distant employer without shedding a sweat. On the other hand, online job search or applying for your dream job is complicated since it requires a lot of patience in filling-up online forms.

Doing a job search is a combination of hard work and proper attitude. You have to be patient because it is not instant to land a job. Remember that you are just one of the thousands of applicants applying for that position. Lastly, think positive, keep in mind that you are good, you have skills to offer and the company will be lucky to hire you because you will be their asset.

More and more new graduates and jobseekers are riding on the wave of opportunity by registering with the country’s biggest jobs fair dubbed “Tayo Na! Trabaho Na! JOBapalooza ‘09″ Labor Day approaches, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today reported.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said that based on the latest DOLE preliminary report, more than 20,603 jobseekers have already registered for JOBapalooza ‘09, which shall be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City on May 1, 2009.

More than 1,000 local firms and overseas recruiters would offer more than 250,000 productive job opportunities to new graduates and jobseekers.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m., the main Labor Day program will commence at 9:00 a.m. at the SMX Hall, followed by the launching of the DOLE Hotline and the reading of Labor Day Manifesto, and the awarding of livelihood and training certificates/vouchers to disadvantaged sectors and workers under various DOLE and government thrusts (WIN AP, DOLE-AMP, Phil-Health, Ye-Ye, PGS, and OWWA).

Simultaneously, a Livelihood Display and Sale, complemented by entrepreneurship slideshows, training/livelihood seminars, and medical missions, will proceed in the area from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The day will be capped by the launch of Hatid Saya (Alay sa Manggagawang Pinoy sa Ibayong Dagat) courtesy of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Trade Unions concert, a spectacular fireworks display in honor of the Filipino worker, and finally, the JOBapalooza ‘09 Concert dubbed “Alay sa Manggagawang Pilipino” featuring Gary Valenciano and Rivermaya.

Roque said that JOBapalooza ‘09 is a collective offering of the Philippine Labor Movement comprising the country’s labor federations and the country’s Three Plus (3+) Social Partners (which include management, government and other sectors). He cited the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization (PTGWO), All Workers Alliance Trade Union (AWATU), Trade Union of the Philippines and Allied Services (TUPAS), Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW), Philippine Organization of Labor Unions (POLU), and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), for presenting the Labor Day jobs fair in partnership with major sponsors Globe, Banco de Oro (BDO), SM Shoemart, PHIL-JobNet (www.phil-job.net), JobStreet.com, STI, Philippine Online Chronicles (POC), the City Government of Manila, and the City Government of Pasay City, as well as the DOLE’s National Capital Region (NCR) Office, which is supervising the event.

As this developed, the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) continues to encourage new graduates and jobseekers to avail of the available opportunities by registering for the JOBapalooza ‘09 using the Internet links at http://www.phil-job.net, or the DOLE’s website at http://www.dole.gov.ph. Walk-in applicants are also welcome at the SMX on the Labor Day itself.

Roque emphasized that on top of the main”Tayo Na! Trabaho Na! JOBapalooza ‘09,” more job/livelihood fairs will highlight the nationwide Labor Day celebrations in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao areas under the supervision of the DOLE Regional Offices (ROs), at the following tentative venues on May 1, 2009: Region I (Ilocos Region) - SM Rosales, Pangasinan; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - Baguio Convention Center/SM Baguio Job Fair; Region II (Cagayan Valley) - Paseo Real, Tuguegarao City (job/trade/livelihood fair) and Faustino L. Dy Gymnasium, Cauayan City (registration of professionals); Region III (Central Luzon) — Pampanga (SM City Pampanga, SM City Clark, SM City Baliuag, and SM City Marilao); Region IV-A (CALABARZON) - SM Sta. Rosa (livelihood fair); Region V (Bicol Region) - SM Naga City; Region VI (Western Visayas) - Robinson’s Place, and Gaisano City, both in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Region VII (Central Visayas) - Cebu City Sports Complex (overseas fair), SM City Cebu Jobs Fair, Provincial Capitol (local fair); Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) - ZC Golden Boys Grille, Nunez Extension, Zamboanga City; Region X (Northern Mindanao) - SM Cagayan de Oro City; Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) - Kidapawan City Gymnasium, South Seas Complex, and KCC Mall of General Santos City; and CARAGA Region - Luciano Convention Center, GP Rosales St., Butuan City.

DOLE, Qatar labor officials meet in Bohol; confirm more than 100,000 jobs for OFWs in Qatar

Labor officials from the Philippines and Qatar convened the 1st RP-Qatar Joint Committee Meeting in Bohol recently to strengthen bilateral labor relations and opportunities for both countries, specifically the availability of more than 100,000 jobs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Qatar, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said officials from the two countries discussed the ratification of the Additional Protocol to the RP-Qatar Agreement Concerning Filipino Manpower Employment in Qatar, which the country entered into with the Qatari government in 1997 to provide for the deployment and welfare protection for OFWs in Qatar.

Roque said the two delegations also discussed the employment prospects for OFWs in Qatar. He said Qatar approved a total of 296,787 work visas for OFWs between October 2008 to March 2009 out of which about 190,000 were already filled up, indicating that over 100,000 work visas are still available for OFWs.

The DOLE Chief said that about 85 % of the available jobs for OFWs in the Qatar requires technical and highly-skilled workers in the construction sector.

The Philippine delegation was composed of DOLE Undersecretary Arturo L. Sodusta, Deputy Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Director Albert Q. Valenciano of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Labor Attaché Vivo V. Vidal.

The Qatar delegation was headed by Deputy Minister Hussain Yousuf Al-Mulla of the Ministry of Labour (MOL) with other MOL officials, namely, Director Khalid Al-Hayder of the Department of International Relations, Mr. Saleh Al-Khaldi of the Legal Department, and Mr. Ibrahim Al-Hail of the Public Relations Department, as members.

The two delegations also agreed to address illegal recruitment and excessive charging of fees by recruitment agencies by actively exchanging needed information involving such cases especially those involving household service workers.

Along this line, Roque said the DOLE proposed that OFWs be required exit clearance prior to their deployment to Qatar as preventive measure against the illegal recruitment of workers to this country.

The DOLE, he added, would also submit its training proposal to the Qatari government for the latter’s cooperation and assistance in training OFWs in line with efforts to ensure adequate supply of skilled workers for manpower requirements of employers in this country.

Meanwhile, the Qatari delegation explained Qatar’s new Sponsorship law. The law provides that in proven cases of abuse of workers such as those involving maltreatment, physical abuse, and non-payment of wages, Qatar’s MOL or its Ministry of Interior or the labor court can allow the workers to transfer to other employers.

If a Filipino worker filed a case in the labor court and the regular court, his/her employer cannot send the worker back the Philippines until the pending claims of the worker are settled.

source: Information and Publication Service

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today warned Filipino workers and Philippine recruitment agencies against recruiters offering jobs in the United Kingdom through email, particularly those requiring applicants to send money as payment for visa and work permit in the light of UK regulations which require personal filing of visa applications at the British Embassy in Manila.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque issued the warning in the wake of the proliferation of fraudulent recruitment through the Internet offering non-existent jobs in the UK.

Roque said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in London has recorded more than 200 emails from job applicants and recruitment agencies in the country requesting for verification of the legality of the job offers they received through the Internet.

He said the applicants received job offers through email with scanned appointment letters, work confirmation, and employment contracts from their supposed UK employers with instruction to the applicants to contact specified travel agencies, immigration firms, and solicitors in the UK who would purportedly assist them in the processing of their work permits and visas.

He said the applicants were subsequently asked to remit a sum of money to a certain account as payment for their work permit, visa processing, and other fees.

He said the job offers were found to be fake, deceptive, and illegal as all visa applications will now be filed at the UK Visa Application Centre of the British Embassy in Manila, adding the application should be done personally by the applicants.

He also said that travel agencies, immigration consultants, recruitment firms, solicitors or barristers, and other agents in the UK are not authorized to act as sponsor of applicants. Neither can they process or apply for working visas in the UK in behalf of the applicants.

Roque likewise noted that even recruitment agencies in the country have been enticed to take recruitment offers in the Internet and to advertise vacancies in their behalf for manpower pooling.

He cited a case involving the Global Logistics & Trading Shipping Co., which posted its job orders and interview schedule at www.workabroad.com.ph under Primeworld Manpower Agency. He said the POLO in London found that Global Logistics is not a licensed UK firm.

London-based Labor Attache Jainal Rasul Jr. also advised Filipino applicants that based on the new UK Points Based System (PBS), only highly skilled professionals would be eligible for work visas in the UK, unless the positions are included in the shortage occupation list.

At present, most of the available semi-skilled, and low-skilled jobs in the UK are no longer open to non-Europeans, particularly in hotels, restaurants, food catering, retail business, construction and manufacturing.

For visa application under the new PBS immigration rule, a work permit is no longer a requirement and has now been replaced by the new sponsorship system. This means that the UK Border Agency (Immigration Office) no longer issues work permits for entry visa purposes.

In place of the work permit, the UK Border Agency issues sponsorship license to UK employers who in turn sends the ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to their qualified candidates or applicants as a requirement for online visa application at the British Embassy in Manila.

Source: Information and Publication Service

And that being said, we also don’t want to limit our fellowmen to be in a job for the rest of their lives, we also want you to be financially free for you and your family.

There are lots of ways to handle your financial problems sites like work at home business has a lot of business plans that you can start at home and start your own business. If you think about it, most big companies today started out as a small business right in their own backyard. Jollibee is one of them.

There are also sites like Franchise Philippines, where you can search and start your own franchise business. Their support forum has people knowledgeable in the field.

On this site, we have a job board, where you can post a job or find a job that suits you. Though, not many of them are from abroads, I’m sure it is good enough to help our needy fellow men.