Seek Canada jobs through licensed recruiters only -- POEA

By Margaux Ortiz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: March 18, 2008

MANILA, Philipines -- The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has advised Filipinos aspiring to work in Canada to deal only with licensed recruitment agencies following announcements that the country is in great demand of skilled professionals.

Recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani said job applicants should be cautious of illegal recruitment syndicates enticing them with easy payment schemes for employment in Canada.

“Entry through Canada can only be done with a direct employer who will furnish the documents like a work permit or immigrant visa to a qualified applicant. This could also be done through POEA-licensed private recruitment agencies that have approved job orders for skilled workers and professionals in various industries,” Geslani said.

According to Geslani, Canadian authorities have announced that 1.9 million new jobs would be created over the next 10 years particularly in the Western provinces of Canada such as Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

“We also warn job seekers that Canadian laws and regulations prohibit the charging and recruitment and placement fees from workers seeking employment,” Geslani said, adding that one of the laws stipulated that Canadian employers should cover all recruitment costs related to the hiring of foreign workers.

He disclosed that the POEA recently suspended local recruitment agency September Star and Canadian JFG Career Agency for charging exorbitant placement fees from prospective employees to be deployed in a restaurant chain in Canada.