DMW: Canada has ‘no placement fee policy’

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reminded aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that Canada has “no placement fee policy” and urged the public to report recruiters that don’t follow the rule.

“Charging or collecting of recruitment fees for deployment to British Columbia and other provinces of Canada is prohibited since Canada has a no placement fee policy for all types of workers,” said the DMW.

“The applying public is reminded to exercise caution in accepting job offers and to transact only with a licensed Philippine recruitment agency,” it added.

The Department said those offered jobs to Canada and are asked to pay for placement fees are urged to report to the DMW.

“You may report to us if there are individuals or agencies charging placement fees in exchange of jobs to Canada,” said the DMW.

In a related development, the DMW said the British Columbia government has announced an increase in the hourly minimum wage rate for lowest-paid workers, residential caretakers, live-in home support workers, and camp leaders in the province.

Effective 01 June 2024, the new hourly minimum wage rate shall be retroactively increased from $16.75 to $17.40.

“The new rate is a 3.9% increase from the British Columbia’s average inflation rate in 2023,” said the DMW.