Overseas Filipino Workers arriving via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on December 18, 2023 are given their "pasalubongs" by the Office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Agency (OWWA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reiterated Tuesday that Filipinos seeking to work in Qatar should not be charged with placement fees.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac emphasized the "no placement fee policy" following reports of aspiring overseas workers being asked to pay certain fees for deployment.

"Kung ang tawag diyan ay processing fee, kahit ano pang tawag diyan, pero ang purpose ay para bayaran yung agency sa kanyang serbisyo. Or kita ng agency sa pagbigay niya ng serbisyo, 'yan ay bawal," he said at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas. 

(If they call that processing fee or whatever they call it now, but its purpose is to pay the agency for its services. Or the agency earns from its services, that's not allowed.)

He explained that the policy adopted by the Philippines and by Qatar is the "employer-based principle", which means that fees are to be shouldered by employers.

"So whatever the name of the fee... if it is along those same lines and purpose, it's illegal and we will run after the agencies that charge those fees," Cacdac added.

READ: DMW shuts foreign language center for alleged illegal recruitment

Recruitment agencies that violate the policy may face cancellation of their license.

Thousands of Filipinos leave the Philippines daily for work abroad while thousands more continue to seek better opportunities than are found in the country.

POLICY IS BASED ON PHILIPPINE AND QATARI LAW

The policy is in accordance with Article 33 of Qatar Law No. 14 of 2004, which "prohibits entities licensed to recruit workers from abroad from collecting any sum for recruitment fees, expenses or other associated costs."

The law also states Qatar is a non-placement fee labor-receiving country.

Cacdac said that both sides agreed on the policy during a Joint Committee Meeting in August.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnell Ignacio warned Filipinos intending to work abroad against recruiters who collect fees to expedite the hiring and deployment process.

"So huwag silang maniniwala sa mga ganyang pahayag ng mga ilan diyan sa mga nakakausap nila. Ang linaw-linaw naman walang kinokolektang fees," he said in the same forum.

(So they should not believe these claims made by [the agencies] that they speak with. It's clear that there are no fees to be collected.)

READ: DMW warns against illegal recruiters on social media

Ignacio also clarified that OWWA does not charge any fees for its services, except its membership fee of $25 every two years.

OWWA members are entitled to benefits and services including repatriation and reintegration, social benefits, and education and training.

"Minsan kasi merong mga nang-iiscam na para daw mapadali ang repatriation o anumang services eh may hihingin kaming pera. Wala pong nangyayaring ganyan. Never kami manghihingi ng pera pwera lang sa membership fee," he added.

(Some people get scammed after agencies say they can expedite the repatriation or any service is they pay OWWA. There is nothing like that happening. We will never charge money except the membership fee.)

In an advisory posted on Sunday, the DMW said the policy will take effect 15 days after its issuance.

RELATED VIDEO: