The Consulate General of the Philippines in Milan has recently issued a reminder to Filipinos seeking employment in Italy to remain vigilant against fraudulent immigration and recruitment schemes. This warning comes in the wake of a controversy involving the decreto flussi program of the Italian government, which allows the hiring of up to 452,000 foreign workers over the next three years.
Unfortunately, more than 200 Filipino job seekers in the Philippines have allegedly been defrauded of as much as EUR3,000 each by a Milan-based immigration consulting firm known as Alpha Assistenza SRL. As a result, Consul General Elmer Cato has stated that cases of aggravated fraud are expected to be filed against Alpha Assistenza by the Italian lawyer hired by the Department of Foreign Affairs to represent 100 complainants based in Italy who had transacted with the agency on behalf of their relatives in the Philippines.
The Consulate General is actively monitoring other individuals and agencies involved in what they refer to as “predatory practices.” These individuals and agencies take advantage of the vulnerabilities of Filipinos seeking alternative ways to bring their relatives to Italy. It has been reported that certain individuals and agencies required a EUR500 reservation fee as soon as the decreto flussi program was announced, while others charged as much as EUR5,000 to process work visa applications.
In light of these incidents, the Consulate General and the Migrant Workers Office of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are reminding Filipinos of the need to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid falling victim to those who aim to take advantage of the decreto flussi program by charging exorbitant fees to secure jobs for their relatives in the Philippines.
It is important to note that although the Philippines is among the 30 countries covered by the decreto flussi program, there is no guarantee that work visa applications will be approved. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the risks involved and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The Consulate General also emphasizes that in order for a Filipino worker to be legally deployed abroad, a foreign employer must engage the services of a DMW-licensed Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA). Both the foreign employer and the PRA must be accredited with the DMW. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the recruitment process is legitimate and provides a level of protection for Filipino workers.
As the demand for foreign workers continues to rise in Italy, it is essential for Filipinos seeking employment opportunities to stay informed and be cautious when dealing with immigration and recruitment agencies. By remaining vigilant and following the proper procedures, individuals can mitigate the risk of falling victim to fraudulent schemes and ensure a safe and legal journey abroad.
Source: The Manila Times
