Agents preying on helpless Filipinos beware
Published on: Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The days of irresponsible recruitment agents charging Filipinos exorbitant fees when applying for Malaysian work permit, renewal of passports and other consular documents in Sabah are now numbered.Two concerned non-governmental organisations from the Philippines and Sabah are in contact with the relevant authorities in Manila to address the long standing problem which is financially, physically and mentally affecting Filipino workers here.The Duterte administration described the Filipino Overseas Workers as "Modern Heroes" and repeatedly reminded all government agencies and departments in the country and abroad to ensure that the welfare and interest of the 'modern heroes' are properly protected at all time.
ADVERTISEMENT
The two associations who are concerned about the plight of the Filipino community in Sabah are the Zambasulta (Zamboanga,Basilan,Sulu,Tawi-Tawi) Traders Association and it's counterpart Sabah Foreign Workers Employment Agency Association (Pappas).Leaders of the both associations expressed intention to collaborate with the relevant government agencies in Manila to totally eradicate the exorbitant service free charges imposed by these irresponsible agents.Presidents Faizal Jamalul (pic) and Anthony Leong, respectively also said they will communicate with a Filipina who had volunteered to offer her office in Tanjung Aru Plaza to assist Filipinos needing consular services.Meanwhile, in view of the forthcoming resumption of barter trade between Sabah, Indonesia and southern Mindanao in January 1,2019, the association seeks permission from the Sabah Government to set up a temporary facilitation centre in the State Capital.
ADVERTISEMENT
"This facilitation centre is designed to provide assistance to its members (Filipino traders) should the need arise while transacting trading activities in Sabah...we will also seek 'green light' from Manila to allow us to assist the relevant authorities in extending consular services to the Filipino community in Kota Kinabalu," Faizal said.He hoped the gesture of the association will be viewed by Manila Government positively and a step forward towards helping ease the burden of Filipinos seeking consular services from the Philippine's Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We also hope our gesture will help protect our countrymen from falling victims to irresponsible recruitment agents who are out to take advantage of situation, " the BIMP-EAGA Country Director stressed adding that the office will be named as 'Zambasulta Facilitation Centre'.The idea of setting up a Filipino facilitation centre is not new.Previously, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez announced plans of put up a Palawan facilitation office to look after the needs of Palaweneos doing business in Sabah, particularly Kudat once the Kudat-Palawan Ro-Ro ferry service will be operational.Last September, Philippine Secretary For Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) cum BIMO-EAGA signing Minister Datu Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto said plans are underway to set up a Philippine Consular-General Office in Kota Kinabalu."This office among other things will look after the needs of our countrymen in Sabah in all aspects including providing consular services...I am happy Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal responded positively to my idea which will be beneficial to both Sabah and Philippine Governments and its people", Alonto said.Some officers of Pappas are scheduled to visit Manila soon to attend briefings from the relevant departments and agencies on the procedures, requirements including fees in hiring Filipino works.With the scheduled revival of barter trade between Sabah and southern Mindanao come January 1, 2019, Zambasulta President Faizal Jamalul said the association is seriously toying the idea of setting up a facilitation centre to look after the needs of Filipino traders doing business in Sabah.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
