The Department of Labor & Employment has reiterated its warning to nine licensed recruiters in Negros Oriental for occasionally recruiting minors as domestic helpers.
Labor & Employment Officer Sandra Delfin of DOLE said registered recruiters have been re-oriented the law and its rules and regulations on employment of persons locally so as to prevent cases of trafficking of children and women and eliminate child labor.
In a re-orientation held recently, Delfin informed license recruiters to submit the authenticated birth certificates from the recruited workers as one of the requirements to ensure no minors will be victimized.
Delfin said a birth certificate authenticated by the national Statistics Office is a compulsory requirement for those less than 20 years old.
In order to avoid being victims of illegal recruiters the public especially in the hinterland barangays must make sure that the recruiter has a license, has a job order and is authorized to recruit workers for employment.
“Sometimes legal recruiters resort to illegal activities,” Delfin said, however, she vowed to strictly monitor agencies that would attempt to circumvent the law.
The DOLE said agencies or recruiters caught violating the law face penalties in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
The nine licensed recruiters in Negros Oriental include Elen Reyes from Lumbangan, Mabinay of Banal Employment Agency; Gemma Libetario from Jantianon, Amlan; Leonardo Fausto, Tamo, Tayasan, both under the El Bethel Manpower Services; Eleuterio Gualberto and Flora Gualberto from Piapi, Dumaguete City both under the E. G. Ramon Employment Agency;
Under the umbrella of the Nilo Manpower Services are Elmo Mendoza from Angatan, Dumaguete City; Nehru Dipaling, Cangmating, Sibulan; and Tranquilina Gonido from Bagacay, Dumaguete City; and Lancita Balasabas from Matuog, Tayasan of Village Employment Agency. (PIA NegOr/Jenny Tilos)