Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople led a team from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in closing down a Makati-based immigration consultancy firm for allegedly conducting illegal recruitment activities.
Ordered closed was the office of K-Monster Inc. in Barangay San Lorenzo.
Ople and the team from the department’s Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch (AIRB) were joined by the Makati Police and barangay officials.
Surveillance operations conducted by the AIRB showed that K-Monster has reportedly been offering jobs for hotel workers, room attendants, cashiers, waiters, caregivers, and factory workers in Poland, Canada, and the Netherlands.
“We at the DMW have zero tolerance for illegal recruiters and human traffickers.”
“We at the DMW have zero tolerance for illegal recruiters and human traffickers. Walang ‘K’ si K-Monster to recruit because it is neither licensed with the POEA nor does it have any approved job orders,” she said.
The AIRB said K-Monster does not have a license to recruit workers.
The firm has been offering consultancy services for education, immigration, and employment.
The firm’s head office in South Korea is billed as an international talent solutions provider or staffing agency with an existing tie-up with a local recruitment agency with approved job orders in Canada, Poland the US, and Papua New Guinea.
Ople said that based on DMW’s investigation, K-Monster has been allegedly collecting “advance processing” fees from their victims ranging from P80,000 to P220,000.
The firm claimed the fees cover the cost of documents such as curriculum vitae (CV), resume and passport, processing of visas and work permits, and other travel requirements. It also covers the cost of endorsing the applicants to potential foreign employers.
“The DMW is determined to protect our kababayans from the activities of illegal recruiters. At the same time, we ask that they remain vigilant and always check with the DMW before engaging the services of any company or establishment that promises jobs abroad,” she added.
Ople ordered the filing of Illegal recruitment charges against K-Monster.
“The department will also assist victims of the agency in preparing their individual cases against the firm.”
The department will also assist victims of the agency in preparing their individual cases against the firm, she added.
With its closure, Ople also said K-Monster and its staff will be included in the department’s “List of Persons and Establishments with Derogatory Record.”
Those included in the said list are barred from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program, aside from facing illegal recruitment charges.
