Micronesian hospital barred from hiring OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has barred a Micronesian hospital from recruiting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), an official said yesterday.

POEA officer-in-charge Aristodes Ruaro said he has ordered the Chuuk State Hospital in the Federated States of Micronesia to stop recruiting OFWs following reports of maltreatment, contract violations, harassment, discrimination and abuse.

Citing a  report from Philippine Consulate in Agana, the POEA official said, the government of  Guam made no effort to improve the OFWs’ working conditions and failed to assist them in receiving timely and proper salaries and benefits from their employers.

Based on initial investigation, the hospital has been recruiting health workers from the Philippines without the proper approval from POEA, Ruaro said.

He urged OFWs to report unscrupulous individuals or recruitment agencies who offer jobs from the Micronesian hospital.