The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration yesterday warned Filipino teachers against falling prey to recruiters who promise teaching jobs in China.

POEA said there is no licensed recruitment agency in the Philippines which is presently authorized to  bring English teachers to China.

The Philippine Consul-General in Xiamen has reported of the alarming recruitment of teachers into China through the internet or placement agencies with no approved job orders. The Consulate reported that the teachers are brought into mainland China as tourists through Hong Kong or Macau.

The absence of the necessary working permits or employment visa makes the workers susceptible to exploitation. The workers are either prematurely terminated or paid delayed salaries, or worst, not paid at all.

In a related development, the POEA also warned applicants wanting to work in Hong Kong against recruiters luring out-of-school girls to work there as receptionists and entertainers.

These recruiters would arrange for the travel of the victims to Hong Kong, including securing passports and producing “show money”.

The Philippine Consulate in  Hong Kong reported that the unsuspecting girls are met by partners of the recruiters  and brought to a boarding house for their orientation and lecture. The girls are pampered with clothes and jewelry and forced to take drugs. They are brought to a small room to “entertain” at least 7 customers per night.

POEA said applicants for overseas jobs should apply only with recruitment agencies or individuals authorized by the POEA and should have a work visa, not a tourist visa, to legally work in any foreign country.