THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) shuttered Kanou Japanese and English Academy, Inc. (Kanou) on Thursday reportedly due to illegal operations.
According to the DMW statement, Kanou operated and recruited applicants to work overseas without a license and authority from the agency.
It was confirmed the language center was told to pay P24,000 to undergo a language training program for four months, through the online and physical surveillance conducted by agency’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB),
Reportedly, Kanou deployed the applicants to recruitment agencies and promised a job placement in Japan through a Technical Intern Training Program and a Specified Skilled Worker Program.
Kanou served as a middleman to receive the applicant’s requirements such as copies of their resume and passport ID. The promised jobs included housekeeper, caregiver, factory worker, welder, and farmer in Japan.
The center’s owner and officials will face “illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate” charges. If convicted, they may pay a penalty of P2 million to P5 million and life imprisonment.
Also, Kanou will be included in the DMW List of Persons with Derogatory Record, which will permanently ban the company from further operating.
The DMW recommended canceling Kanou’s business permit and invalidating its registration from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The agency reminded the public to be wary of illegal recruitment and reach out to the MWPB office for free legal assistance through number the (02) 8721-0619.
