A woman attempting to travel overseas for a household service job in Muscat, Oman, was intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday due to concerns that she did not meet the age requirement for the position. The incident highlights the ongoing efforts to combat illegal recruitment practices targeting vulnerable individuals.
The woman, known as “Lia” (pseudonym), claimed to be 30 years old when she presented herself at the airport. However, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco stated that during primary inspection, an alert immigration officer noted inconsistencies in her documents and appearance, leading to further scrutiny.
Upon closer examination, immigration officers suspected that Lia might be underage, given the discrepancies in her statements and passports. Lia informed BI officials that she had been recruited by an agent in Marawi who provided her with fraudulent documents, including a passport and a birth certificate, just outside the airport before her scheduled flight.
Commissioner Tansingco expressed concern that this incident may signify a resurgence of illegal recruitment schemes and stressed the importance of taking action against unscrupulous recruiters. The case has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
It is essential to note that the minimum age requirement for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) employed in household services is 24 years old. Lia, who did not meet this age requirement, is now receiving assistance from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in pursuing legal action against her recruiters.