Filipinos warned on bogus job offerings in Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos have been warned against dubious job offerings in Malaysia that promise high salaries, following reports that overseas Filipino workers in Sarawak State were duped in such a scam.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has issued the advisory after receiving reports that OFWs were recruited for alleged well-paying jobs in Miri and Bintulu in Sarawak and ended up working in bars and restaurants as guest relations officers (GROs) or waiters.

The OFWs whose passports have been withheld by employers. were not paid their proper salaries and given no employment benefits.

“Some of them end up in debt bondage, as they are asked to pay huge sums of money before they can get their passports back and be allowed to return home,” the embassy said.

Foreigners who travel to Sarawak and other parts of Malaysia as tourists cannot work legally, according to the embassy.

Those who wish to work in Malaysia will have to first secure their employment visas in their countries of origin before coming over. Otherwise, they may end up being victimized by human traffickers.

It echoed the reminder of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on the need to secure employment visas before going overseas for work.

“The Embassy also reminds Filipinos to be vigilant and not to deal with unlicensed individuals or purported placement agencies, and to report to authorities if they or their friends or relatives have been victimized by these entities,” its advisory said.

Workers are advised to verify job offers with the POEA in Manila or the Embassy’s Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) before making travel plans. SFM