PHOTO by ED LUSTAN / INQUIRER.net
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has renewed its warning to those planning to work abroad not to fall victim to syndicates offering employment overseas but through fraudulent means. The warning came after immigration personnel intercepted two women, who were underage to work as household service workers (HSW), at Ninoy Aquino International Airport before they could board their flights to the Middle East. The women falsified their birth dates to make it appear that they were qualified to work abroad, said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente. A certain “Sari” (not her real name) from Sultan Kudarat, presented documents showing she was already 27 years old but later admitted she is only 21 years old. The minimum age requirement for HSWs abroad is 23. Another woman said she was already 26 years old but later confessed she is only 19 years old.