TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of labor and Employment here in region is set to investigate the high placement of fees being demanded by some recruitment agencies from those seeking employment abroad.

DOLE assistant Regional Director Crispin Dannug Jr. bared this during the weekly media forum “Express It At The Park” held at the Leyte Park Resort, this city.

According to Dannug, the crackdown on these recruitment agencies demanding high placement fees was meant to protect those who are being unfairly charged excessively by these agencies.

“What is allowed is just it should be equivalent to just two months salary,” he said, referring to the amount of placement fees that is recognized by the DOLE as fair enough.

Dannug added that placement fee of P80, 000 should be the prevailing rate. Recruitment agencies demand placement fees top cover expenses relative to the application of an individual seeking work abroad.

“They could not charged for more,” Dannug stressed.

The DOLE assistant chief said that it came to their attention that many recruitment agencies are charging as high as P150, 000 to P200, 000 per job seeker looking for work abroad.

However, Dannug admitted that this drive might just find some difficulties as he foresees that the “victims” themselves will not extend them their cooperation.

“They might not get interested in helping us, especially if they are already hired and working abroad,” he said.

Still, Dannug said that they would go on with this crackdown against erring recruitment agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation.

Lack of Employment opportunities in the country has forced many Filipinos to seek employment in other countries and stories of many of them being charged excessively, if not duped, by recruitment agencies abound that it has now become so common.

Officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) had repeatedly issued warnings to those seeking work abroad to visit their office first to determine where a particular recruitment agency ids an accredited by them or not.

Meantime, Dannug said that the labor department is set to acknowledge and honor young working groups in a fitting program slated this week.

The DOLE assistant chief said that through this celebration, young individuals would be honored for their contribution in nation building.

“Our youths have contirbute4d substantially in our nation building efforts and (here in the region), 60 percent of our total working population belongs to this group,” Dannug said.

The affair is to be held this Tuesday at the Leyte Gymnasium. Both Leyte Gov. Jericho “Icot” Petilla and City Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez are expected to grace the affair.