SHUT DOWN. The Department of Migrant Workers padlocks consultancy firm BELMÜN Philippines Inc. in Salcedo Village, Makati City on Monday (Feb. 12, 2024) after it was found to be illegally sending Filipinos to work in Poland factories. The DMW said the firm will be blacklisted from all government overseas recruitment programs while its officers and staff will be slapped with illegal recruitment charges. (Photo courtesy of DMW)
MANILA – A Makati-based consultancy firm was shut down by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday after it was confirmed to be illegally sending Filipinos to work in Poland factories.
DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the firm disguised sending of Filipino workers abroad as part of its “global migration training” service.
The agency’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), in coordination with the Makati police, padlocked the office of BELMÜN Philippines Inc., located in Salcedo Village.
Investigations by the Migrant Workers Office in Prague (MWO-Prague) and the MWPB showed that the job consultancy firm partnered with undisclosed Philippine Overseas Employment Administration-registered agencies to send applicants to Poland.
DMW said applicants were asked for all-in payment of at least PHP165,000 for the processing of employment documents, visas, and referral to foreign partner agencies, but excluding air fare.
The prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) paid an initial fee of PHP56,000 for the processing of work permits, with the remaining balance to be paid upon its issuance, which may take a year.
Olalia said BELMÜN officers and staff will be slapped with charges of illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate, which is punishable by life imprisonment and fines ranging from PHP2 million to PHP5 million.
BELMUN staff will also be included in DMW’s list of persons and establishments with derogatory record and the agency will be blacklisted from participating in any government overseas recruitment program.
The agency is the third firm closed by the DMW for illegal recruitment this year. (PNA)
