Latest news with #DepartmentofMigrantWorkers
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Delay OFW deployment to Middle East amid tensions, DMW tells recruitment firms
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday urged private recruitment agencies (PRAs) to delay the deployment of Filipino workers to conflict-affected areas in the Middle East to ensure their safety. In its advisory, DMW reiterated the OFW deployment restrictions in Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. 'Right now, we're on Alert Level 2 in Israel, which means new hires are prohibited, but pwede ang returning,' DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said. 'However, due to the airspace restrictions, it is impossible for them to go, including those bound for Jordan, because they will just be turned back in case of the closure of the airspace,' he added. The advisory mandates PRAs to: • Maintain active communication with employers and foreign partners to verify the location and safety of deployed workers; • Conduct regular welfare checks and submit updated reports through the OFW Welfare Monitoring System; • Develop contingency plans covering evacuation and emergency repatriation; • Shoulder costs of rerouting or rebooking flights for OFWs affected by airspace closures; and • Refrain from processing deployments to Jordan and Israel until clearance is issued. 'When we speak in a regulatory sense, they have to comply. Any agency that continues deployment despite the directive will face penalties,' Cacdac said. 'And yes, 'yong cost of travel hahabulin namin sila doon kung kami ang gumastos sa pagpapauwi (we will charge them the cost of travel because we're the ones paying for it),' he added DMW said that as of June 19, it has assisted 58 stranded OFWs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for repatriation. Of the stranded OFWs, 43 were bound for Israel and 15 for Jordan. DMW also said it met with PRAs in Jordan to explain the current situation and limitations of OFW deployment. 'Handa silang mag-aantay at tumulong sa lahat nang na-stranded nating mga OFWs (they are willing to wait and help the stranded OFWs),' said DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, relaying the response of Jordanian employers. In a Reuters report, Iran and Israel targeted each other with missiles and airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Earlier today, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the 21 stranded Philippine government officials safely crossed into Jordan from Israel. DFA also said the Philippine government is considering raising the alert levels on Israel and Iran as attacks between the two countries continue.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Sara Duterte to Filipinos in Middle East: Stay calm, listen to authorities
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed concern Friday for Filipinos working and living in the Middle East amid the escalating tensions in the region. In a video message, Duterte underscored the importance of readiness of Filipinos situated in conflict-affected areas and following the advice of authorities to ensure their safety. 'Pakinggan ang payo ng mga awtoridad para sa maayos na evacuation at iba pang mga importanteng hakbang para sa inyong kaligtasan,' the Vice President said. (Heed the advice of the authorities regarding evacuation and other important measures to ensure your safety.) 'Higit sa lahat, manatili tayong mahinahon at matatag, dala-dala ang ating pananampalataya sa Diyos at pag-asa para sa kapayapaan,' she added. (Above all, remain calm and strong, keep your faith in God, and hope for peace.) She also called on Filipinos in the Middle East to avoid indulging in fake news and make sure that they are getting information about current events from reliable media organizations. 'To all the governments involved in the conflict, we hope that you will always uphold the norms that safeguard humanity during these challenging times. Sabay sabay nating pangalagaan ang buhay at kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino,' Duterte said. (Let's take care of the life and future of every Filipino together.) Tensions are high in the Middle East after Israel earlier launched a preemptive attack against Iran, supposedly to deter Tehran's nuclear program. The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has called on concerned countries to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East after Israel's airstrikes on Iran. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), meanwhile, has implemented a deployment ban on new hires for Iran and Jordan. There is an existing deployment ban in Israel in the aftermath of the conflict with Hamas. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW issues deployment ban on new hires for Iran, Jordan amid conflict with Israel
The Department of Migrant Workers has implemented a deployment ban on new hires for Iran and Jordan amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. 'New hires are prohibited. Returning [Overseas Filipino Workers] are allowed, technically speaking. But they still can't travel because the airspace is closed,' DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a press conference on Thursday. The DMW issued Advisory No. 19 s. 2025 reiterating restrictions in the deployment of OFWs to Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. Cacdac advised Jordan-bound OFWs to likewise postpone their trips, given the kingdom shares a common border with Israel. 'The same is true with Jordan-bound OFWs, they are turned back. So we issued an advisory, huwag na kayo pumunta muna. We included that in our advisory to recruitment agencies. Don't send new hires to Jordan because they will just be turned back,' Cacdac added. (Don't go there at this time.) There is an existing deployment ban in Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel in 2023. Cacdac warned that non-compliant recruitment agencies will be held liable. 'That's part of our regulatory authority over them. When we speak in a regulatory sense, then they have to comply. And yes, on the cost of travel, we'll have them pay for that,' Cacdac said. As of Thursday, Cacdac said that there are also 58 Filipinos who are either Israel-bound or Jordan-bound but are stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Of the 58, the DMW has been able to arrange a flight for four Israel-bound Filipinos to return to the Philippines via an Etihad flight in Abu Dhabi. 'We have been helping them,' Cacdac said. While it is not within DMW's purview to make recommendations on alert levels that determine whether there should be a mandatory repatriation or a voluntary one, Cacdac said the agency is focused on helping Filipinos in need, regardless of the situation. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials are the political and security experts. We honor their leadership at the one country team level so it is the ambassador's call, it is the Secretary of Foreign Affairs' call , and we will always defer to the DFA's judgment,' Cacdac said. Tensions are high in the Middle East after Israel launched a preemptive attack against Iran six days ago, supposedly to deter Tehran's nuclear program. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Filipino Times
19 undocumented OFW mothers, 23 children safely repatriated from Dubai
A group of 19 Filipino mothers and their 23 children have been safely repatriated from Dubai to the Philippines. These mothers and children were undocumented, who availed of the amnesty program offered by the UAE. 'There are criminal and morality codes in the UAE. If there is a mother who gives birth and hindi known 'yung status or out of wedlock, ay nagiging undocumented yung bata. Therefore, mahirap in terms of getting medical treatment, and education. So it's important na maiuuwi sila agad. We have our lawyers handling all these cases. They have been cleared and now they are home,' Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said. Also included in the repatriation were 10 Filipino workers who were stranded in Dubai while en route to Jordan due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The group arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR659. This repatriation was a coordinated effort among the Department of Migrant Workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Embassy in the UAE. The Embassy assisted in securing documentation for the children, including DNA testing carried out in coordination with UAE authorities. All repatriated individuals received immediate financial support through the DMW AKSYON Fund and assistance at the airport. They will also be provided with reintegration programs to support their transition back into life in the Philippines. So far, the DMW and OWWA have helped 28 Filipino workers stranded in Dubai due to airport closures linked to the Middle East conflict. Travelers affected by flight disruptions are advised to contact airlines for rebooking and report to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Migrant Workers Office for assistance.
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
MWO-Dubai urges OFWs to register early on DMW Portal for faster OEC processing
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai and Northern Emirates has reminded overseas Filipino workers to register early on the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) E-Registration Portal. This is to make sure their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) can be processed smoothly and on time. In its latest advisory No. 14, Series of 2025, the office reminded OFWs to visit and complete their registration even before they have their employment contracts verified. 'This step is essential to facilitate the issuance of your OEC after contract verification — whether the verification is done onsite manually at MWO-Dubai or through online processing,' the advisory stated. The OEC is a vital travel document for Filipino migrant workers, serving as proof of their legal employment abroad and a requirement for exiting the Philippines for work. Key reminders for OFWs OFWs who already have an active E-Registration account at should use their existing credentials and must not create a new account, as multiple accounts may cause delays in OEC processing. Even if a contract is not yet verified, workers are advised to register early to get their E-Registration Number in advance. Early registration ensures a faster and hassle-free OEC issuance process once their documents are approved, the MWO-Dubai said.
