What is the legal procedure to withdraw and reimburse processing fees for a Land-based Worker.

anonymous
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Nagpa-process po ako attorney ng work visa ko po papuntang Saudi bilang Domestic Helper at nagbayad na po ako ng processing fee dito sa isang recruitment agency sa Malate/Manila kasama po binayaran ko medical examinations for visa stamping noong June 2017. Pero nangako po itong agency na mapaalis nila ako sa loob ng dalwang buwan o tatlong buwan ang pinaka-late sabi po sa akin ng Operation Manager nitong agency. Dahil sa umabot na po ngayon attorney ng Anim na Buwan ang paghihintay ko po ng departure date ay malabo parin tuwing kinakausap ko po itong manager ng agency ay nag-decide po ako attorney mag-back-out at sinabihan ko po itong Operation Manager ng agency na i-withdraw nila yong processing ng visa ko at ibigay nila sa akin yong passport ko po at mga documents ko most importantly ay yong cash amount na ibinigay ko po dito sa kausap kong manager. Ang tanung ko po sa inyo attorney ay paano po ba ang dapat kong gawin o hakbang para maibalik nitong agency yong pera na ibinayad ko para sa processing ng kontrata at visa ko po? Maraming salamat po.


 

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Adelaimar C Arias-Jose
is a Legal expert in the Philippines
Illegal po ang ginawa nila. Una po sa lahat, hindi po nila kayo dapat siningil ng processing fee kung wala silang open na job order. Kung may open po silang job order na tunay, hindi po aabutin ng ganoon katagal bago kayo mapa-alis.

Dahil sa kayo ang nagbayad ng lahat ng fees at hindi naman ang recruitment agency, dapat po kayong maghabla laban sa agency na iyan. Maghabla po kayo para sila'y matanggalan ng lisensiya at para sila ay magbalik sa inyo ng inyong lahat na ibinayad.

Ihanda po ninyo ang inyong mga resibo. Mas maigi pong kayo'y pumunta muna sa PAO o Public Attorney's Office. Kayo po ay magpa-gawa ng letter of demand na ibalik sa inyo ang lahat ng inyong ibinayad, pati na ang inyong pasaporte.

Tapos po ang PAO ang magsasabi sa inyo kung ano na ang dapat ninyong gawin at kung saan na kayo susunod na pupunta upang ang maghabla. Dati po kasi, may complaints division ang POEA kung saan puede kayong magreklamo upang ang mga recruitment agency ay mapanagot sa kanilang mga maling gawa tulad nito.

About the author

Adelaimar C Arias-Jose

I am a graduate of the UP College of Law. Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines since 1995. I am currently involved in private practice in criminal, civil and labor law.
Profession: Lawyer
Adelaimar C. Arias-Jose
Office Address: #34 St. Michael Street
Philippines , Manila , Makati
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