by Rose Palacio

Davao City (29 January) -- The Philippine Consulate General in Hongkong is warning the public against job offers in China using Hongkong as their main transit route.

Francis B. Domingo, chief of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Mindanao Field Office said they received reports from the Philippine Consulate General refraining Filipinos from entertaining job placement for China either through the Internet or placement agencies as it has been reported that recruitment of Filipinos for English teaching jobs is taking place mainly through the Internet.

However, after working for several months in China, some of these Filipinos are either prematurely terminated while others were not given their promised salaries.

This situation is made more difficult due to their (Filipinos) lack of employment visas or job orders in China.

"The public should be aware of this, because of the re[por5ted increase in the number of cases of Filipinos going to Ma8inland China," the POEA said.

Other cases of illegal recruitment in Southern China (Zhuhai area) involved Filipinos who were recruited for teaching positions and as factory workers in China. It turned out that they do not have any employment visas and the promised jobs are non-existent.

Domingo urged Davaoenos and Mindanaoans seeking to work abroad to first consult with POEA Mindanao Field Office along Ecoland, Davao City or the nearest POEA office in their locality in order to obtain accurate information on the application process for securing overseas employment.

Filipinos currently employed in Hongkong are also requested to advise their relatives or friends in the Philippines to first inquire from the POEA before proceeding to work abroad.

Despite several warnings and information dissemination against illegal recruitment, many applicants are still being victimized by illegal recruiters.

Applicants are urged to make sure of their job placements abroad by inquiring from the POEA. "This is for your own good and your own safety so as not to worry your own family," Domingo said.