The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has shut down the offices of several affiliated companies in Pasig City and Baguio City over alleged illegal recruitment of culinary and hospitality workers for jobs in Australia.
In Pasig City, the DMW said its operation found that Ausphin International Institute and Visume Inc. were operating from the same office in a building at the Ortigas Business Center.
Meanwhile, the agency also shut down Ausphin International Institute Culinary Arts & Business Management Inc., Ausphin Recruitment, and Ausphin Consultancy in Baguio City.
According to the DMW, the companies allegedly offered chef and cook positions in Australia with promised monthly salaries ranging from ₱200,000 to ₱250,000.
Applicants with the required experience were reportedly asked to pay up to ₱95,000 in processing fees, while some applicants were also charged additional fees for training and materials.
The DMW said it uncovered the alleged recruitment scheme after receiving a complaint from a former employee of the companies.
The agency began monitoring the companies' recruitment activities in June before serving Closure Orders Nos. 47 and 48 on Friday, September 25, effectively shutting down their operations.
Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara said the DMW is also encouraging other individuals who may have been victimized by the companies to come forward and file complaints.
“May complainant tayo via email at insider at nagsasagawa tayo ng in-depth investigation… Nananawagan tayo sa iba pang naging biktima nito in the past na gustong magsampa ng reklamo, narito ang DMW-MWPB para mag-assist,” Alcantara said.
