Myanmar's dubious job offers pose risk for Filipinos, Philippine authorities caution, given the current ban on deployment
The Philippine Embassy in Myanmar has issued an advisory on its official Facebook page, reminding Filipinos seeking employment abroad to be cautious of suspicious offers in the country. The deployment ban for Filipinos going to Myanmar remains in effect, but the embassy did not specify the reason for the concern or provide details about the specific offers to avoid.
According to the advisory, victims have been reportedly recruited through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram, with promises of legitimate work. However, these individuals later found themselves forced to engage in online fraud. It is unclear if the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar has taken any additional measures to protect Filipinos in the country or to assist those who may be in distress.
Many of the Filipinos traveling to Myanmar are believed to be using 70-day business visas, as per the embassy. However, the advisory did not mention any penalties or consequences for Filipinos who disregard the deployment ban. The embassy urges Filipinos to remain vigilant and provides its Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Section contact information for queries and emergencies at (+95) 998-521-0991.
Recent reports indicate that dozens of Filipinos have sought rescue after being lured by illegal recruiters in Myanmar, falling victim to human trafficking. The advisory expressed concern over the increasing number of Filipinos entering Myanmar to work as "customer service representatives," but did not specify if there have been any incidents involving Filipinos working in this capacity in the country.
The Philippine Embassy in Myanmar has not provided any further information regarding the growing number of Filipinos entering the country or the reason for the concern. It is recommended that Filipinos seeking employment abroad exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of job offers before making any commitments.
