The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is stepping up efforts to go after brokers—some of them Korean nationals—who continue to collect illegal placement fees from Filipino seasonal workers bound for South Korea.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed on Wednesday that these brokers have taken advantage of aspiring OFWs over the last four to five years, often requiring workers to pay excessive amounts—sometimes disguised as loan arrangements—just to secure seasonal job contracts. “What happens is that the seasonal worker stays for four to five months. Their salary for three months is paid to the broker,” Cacdac said.
While the agency has been actively regulating the deployment of seasonal workers since last year, Cacdac admitted some unscrupulous brokers are still in operation. “Before we came in, talamak ‘yung broker system… That practice has stopped, but that’s not to say na walang brokers pa rin,” he added.
The DMW began intervening after the deaths of six overseas Filipino workers linked to unregulated seasonal work programs facilitated through deals between Philippine and Korean LGUs. Since placing a temporary moratorium and taking control of the process, the government has sent 8,000 workers through DMW channels, with just one recorded death under their supervision.
“We look at their contracts, ensure that they are insured medically, and [that] the OWWA membership [is in place],” Cacdac explained, adding that a joint memorandum with the DILG, DFA, and other concerned agencies is in the works to further tighten safeguards.
The department is currently handling 25 active cases against illegal brokers and has already assisted in filing charges against those operating in Davao and Bulacan. “They still think they can roam free, but the most important thing there is we run after them, we crack down on them, and we file cases against them,” Cacdac emphasized.
