DFA: No jobs as domestic helpers in China, Mongolia

Reposting here an article arising from a statement from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. This comes in the wake of an earlier mail circulated in the pinoymongolia yahoo group regarding the "womanhunt" for Filipina domestic helpers in Mongolia by the Mongolian government. Please note though that the initiative covers all illegal workers and immigrants, thus it applies to both men and women.



abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/26/2010 12:44 AM

!

MANILA, Philippines – Potential overseas Filipino workers are advised against accepting offers to work as domestic helpers in China and Mongolia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

"Filipinos who are promised jobs as domestic helpers in China and Mongolia are always in danger of being arrested because foreign nationals are not allowed to work as domestic helpers in China and Mongolia," Philippine Ambassador to China Francisco Benedicto said.

He said China’s and Mongolia’s border control and immigration authorities are stepping up efforts to arrest illegal workers and immigrants.

"The Embassy has been informed by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Security Bureau that domestic service employment in China is closed to foreigners," Benedicto said.

Benedicto said illegal recruiters continue to victimize would-be OFWs who end up with inappropriate visa or working permits in China and Mongolia.

Violators could face fines up to 5,000 yuan (P33,000), detention and deportation in China, while foreigners who overstay and have no proper visas in Mongolia are fined up to US$30 per day.

"The Embassy suggests that prospective overseas Filipino workers take steps to avoid exploitation such as demanding recruiters to issue official receipts, timely turnover of passports with appropriate work visas, draft employment contracts and contact details of employers," Benedicto said.
as of 02/26/2010 12:44 AM