The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the Philippine government’s executive branch in charge of safeguarding the rights and promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.
DMW was established by Republic Act No. 11641, also known as the Department of Migrant Workers Act, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 30, 2021.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will serve as the department’s backbone, absorbing the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) seven offices: The Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) of the DFA, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), and National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) of DOLE.
The DMW office is also responsible for coordinating closely with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) on the training, protection, and regulation of Bangsamoro workers sent overseas.
Contents
- Overview
- What is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)?
- What is the Purpose of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
- What are the Benefits of the Migrant Workers Office?
- List of Agencies Absorbed by the Philippine Migrant Workers Office
- Functions of Department of Migrant Workers Office
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Summary
Overview
Philippine President Duterte made the development and establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers one of his top objectives.
President Duterte has campaigned for the approval of a bill mandating the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers on numerous occasions, including in his final State-of-the-Nation Address on July 26.
Based on the 2019 Survey on Overseas Filipinos released in 2020 by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Department of Migrant Workers is predicted to benefit an estimated 2.2 million Filipinos living overseas.
What is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)?
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the Philippine government’s executive branch in charge of safeguarding the rights and promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. The Department of Migrant Workers Act, also known as Republic Act No. 11641, was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 30, 2021.
DMW is responsible for coordinating closely with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) on the training, protection, and regulation of Bangsamoro workers sent overseas.
What is the Purpose of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) was established to increase the amount of support they should receive and to speed up the delivery of services to them, as well as to bring together all of their agencies and inter-agencies with a mandate to protect and promote OFWs.
The following organizations will be consolidated and moved to the new department: All Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO), Commission on Filipino Overseas, International Labor Affairs Bureau, International Social Services Office, National Maritime Polytechnic, National Reintegration Center for OFWs. The bill will support OFWs migrant Filipinos who work in foreign countries.
What are the Benefits of the Migrant Workers Office?
Addressing difficulties impacting Filipino migrant workers, such as red tape, recruitment, regulation, and repatriation, is one of the DOMWOF’s powers and functions, which will focus on supporting OFWs and overseas Filipinos.
The bill also establishes a 24/7 Emergency Response and Action Unit, as well as media and social media monitoring centers, to respond to OFWs, migrant Filipinos, and their families’ emergency needs.
Once established, the new department will work with the DOJ and IACAT to “investigate, initiate, suit, pursue, and assist in the prosecution” of instances involving illegal recruiting and human trafficking.
List of Agencies Absorbed by the Philippine Migrant Workers Office
The bill would transfer the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and mandate from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to the DMWOF.
“It shall formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, and implement policies, and undertake systems for regulating, managing, and monitoring the overseas employment of Filipino workers and reintegration of OFWs and other OFs (overseas Filipinos), while taking into consideration the national development programs formulated by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda),” according to a paragraph in the bill.
The bill further said, “It must also promote the empowerment and protection of Filipinos working overseas by empowering and training them to achieve suitable skills and ensuring access to continual training and knowledge development.”
The following organizations will be consolidated and moved to the new department:
- All Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) currently under the DOLE
- Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) currently under the Office of the President
- International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) currently under DOLE
- International Social Services Office (ISSO) currently under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) currently under DOLE
- National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) currently under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
- Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) currently under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Functions of Department of Migrant Workers Office
The DMW will have the following functions:
(1) Formulate and implement policies, programs, and projects to protect and promote the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their families;
(2) Provide social protection services to all migrant workers and their families;
(3) Conduct research studies on labor migration trends, patterns, and impact on Philippine development;
(4) Monitor implementation of laws, rules, and regulations related to the recruitment, employment, deployment, and reintegration of migrant workers;
(5) Institutionalize a system of accreditation of private recruitment entities;
(6) Facilitate the delivery of pre-departure orientation seminars to prospective migrant workers;
(7) Assist Filipino migrant workers and their families in returning to the Philippines;
(8) Coordinate with government and non-government agencies involved in labor migration programs and projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Check out these answers to common questions people may have over the Department of Migrant Workers (OFW Department):
1. What is Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)?
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the Philippine government’s executive branch in charge of safeguarding the rights and promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.
2. When will Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) start?
The implementation of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will start on year 2023.
3. Who will benefit in Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) bill?
This bill will support OFWs, migrant Filipinos, and their families that require emergency assistance.
Summary
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the Philippine government’s executive branch in charge of safeguarding the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. President Rodrigo Duterte has campaigned for the creation of the DMW on numerous occasions, including in his final State-of-the-Nation Address on July 26.
The DMW office is also responsible for coordinating closely with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) on the training, protection, and regulation of Bangsamoro workers sent overseas.