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Advocates Philippines
Ople Orders Closure Of Travel Consultancy Agency In QC
Photo credit: DMW
Quezon City, Philippines - Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople has ordered the closure of a travel consultancy agency, OVM Visa Assistance and Travel Consultancy, as she reminds jobseekers to be cautious and deal only with licensed recruitment agencies. The agency was found to be offering jobs in Malta and Poland without proper authorization.
Secretary Ople personally led a team from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the operation to close down OVM Visa Assistance and Travel Consultancy's offices located in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. The agency was discovered to be operating without a valid license as a recruitment agency.
In a statement, Secretary Ople urged the public to report any travel or consultancy agency engaged in the recruitment of workers for overseas employment. She emphasized that these actions are clear violations of the anti-illegal recruitment law and should be promptly reported to the DMW.
The closure operation was initiated following a complaint filed by a job applicant identified as "Denise." Denise sought assistance from the DMW's Migrant Workers' Protection Bureau (DMW-MWPB) after encountering issues with OVM Visa Assistance and Travel Consultancy.
Surveillance operations conducted by the DMW-MWPB revealed that OVM was offering positions such as kitchen helpers, housekeepers, waiters, and waitresses in Malta and Poland.
An employee of the agency disclosed to a DMW operative that jobseekers were required to submit their passport and biodata, as well as pay exorbitant processing fees amounting to P420,000. Additionally, applicants were instructed to provide a downpayment of P60,000 upon submission of the required documents.
Furthermore, successful applicants would be obligated to pay an additional P100,000 upon issuance of their work permit. The remaining balance could be settled in installments until the full amount was covered. Jobseekers were informed that deployment overseas would take approximately six to seven months.
Charges of illegal recruitment are being prepared against Vilma Rosario, the owner of OVM Visa Assistance and Travel Consultancy, and its employees. The DMW is also recommending the revocation of the agency's business permit by the Quezon City local government, as well as the cancellation of its Certificate of Business Name Registration by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
To assist the victims of this illegal recruitment agency, the DMW-MWPB is encouraging them to directly contact the department through their Hotline at +63 2 8722-1192 or visit their Facebook page at POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment to file their complaints and seek necessary assistance.
Secretary Ople personally led a team from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the operation to close down OVM Visa Assistance and Travel Consultancy's offices located in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. The agency was discovered to be operating without a valid license as a recruitment agency.
In a statement, Secretary Ople urged the public to report any travel or consultancy agency engaged in the recruitment of workers for overseas employment. She emphasized that these actions are clear violations of the anti-illegal recruitment law and should be promptly reported to the DMW.
The closure operation was initiated following a complaint filed by a job applicant identified as "Denise." Denise sought assistance from the DMW's Migrant Workers' Protection Bureau (DMW-MWPB) after encountering issues with OVM Visa Assistance and Travel Consultancy.
Surveillance operations conducted by the DMW-MWPB revealed that OVM was offering positions such as kitchen helpers, housekeepers, waiters, and waitresses in Malta and Poland.
An employee of the agency disclosed to a DMW operative that jobseekers were required to submit their passport and biodata, as well as pay exorbitant processing fees amounting to P420,000. Additionally, applicants were instructed to provide a downpayment of P60,000 upon submission of the required documents.
Furthermore, successful applicants would be obligated to pay an additional P100,000 upon issuance of their work permit. The remaining balance could be settled in installments until the full amount was covered. Jobseekers were informed that deployment overseas would take approximately six to seven months.
Charges of illegal recruitment are being prepared against Vilma Rosario, the owner of OVM Visa Assistance and Travel Consultancy, and its employees. The DMW is also recommending the revocation of the agency's business permit by the Quezon City local government, as well as the cancellation of its Certificate of Business Name Registration by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
To assist the victims of this illegal recruitment agency, the DMW-MWPB is encouraging them to directly contact the department through their Hotline at +63 2 8722-1192 or visit their Facebook page at POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment to file their complaints and seek necessary assistance.
Jun 2, 2023
