Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia assisted by Manila Police operatives padlocked the offices of JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services for operating without a permit from the DMW while offering bogus jobs for seafarers and collecting unauthorized fees.
DMW padlocks maritime firm over illegal recruitment
MIGRANT Workers Secretary Susan Ople ordered the closure of a maritime consultancy firm in Sta. Cruz, Manila for alleged illegal recruitment activities.
The department’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (DMW-MWPB), formerly the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch, padlocked the office of JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services on Wednesday.
“We encourage victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking to report these crimes to us. Workers’ protection is one of the core functions of the DMW,” Ople said.
Manuel Jericho L. Ramos, one of the victims, claimed that he applied for the position of engine cadet posted by JCB in September 2021, a year and a half ago.
He and three other applicants were promised deployment within a three-month period which never happened. They were also asked to pay P75,000 each as placement fee and were encouraged to convince other colleagues to apply for positions offered by JCB.
Surveillance operations showed that JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services had been recruiting and placing seafarers without a permit from the DMW.
The bogus agency had been offering jobs as deck seafarers, able engine seafarers, oilers, engineers, and yacht stewards.
It allegedly required applicants to submit their travel documents such as Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB), passport, resume, and skill certifications.
With its closure, JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services, its owner, employees, and officers will be included in the DMW’s list of persons and establishments with derogatory records. They will be barred from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program.
