The POEA warns applicants against accepting offers from a certain Mrs. Garcia Jose who is illegally recruiting Filipino workers for Spain through e-mail. Mrs. Garcia promises employment upon arrival in Spain but the supposed job orders were found to be non-existent and the workers would leave the country using tourist visa.

Many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been victimized by Visa 457 scheme of Australia. They are forced to sign blank documents and were charged with very expensive immigration fees. They are also obliged to live in an overpriced house that slices off a big chunk out of their monthly salary.

One organization, the Australian Manufacturing Worker’s Union (AMWU) fights the unfair provisions of the Visa 457 and assist exploited workers. They defend the rights of their members to receive proper salary and be given decent working conditions.

For assistance on 457 visa, you can contact the AMWU Helpdesk at +61 2 8863 7900 or send an email at amwu@amwu.asn.au. You can also call a local number 421-1049 and ask for Australia 457 visa assistance. Read more.

DFA notified jobseekers against accepting job offers for a hotel in Israel. The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv contradicts reports that the post is processing job orders for hotel workers.

The embassy in Tel Aviv said in a statement posted on the Foreign Affairs website, “Everyone is enjoined to immediately report recruitment activities for hotel workers in Israel to the Philippine Embassy or Israel’s Ministry of Labor.”

The embassy said Filipinos who wish to work in Israel should get in touch with the Philippine Embassy and POLO to avoid being victimized by illegal recruiters, to check if the job order is authentic and if the recruitment agency has a POEA license.