Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Office for Filipino Overseas Workers

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is a Philippine government agency created to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers. This is a unified agency that was set up recently in order to consolidate all existing programs and services for migrant workers. The DMW provides a wide range of services to Filipino migrant workers, including: – Pre-departure orientation seminars – Legal assistance – Job placement assistance – Financial literacy seminars – Psychosocial counseling – Reintegration assistance for returning migrant workers.

The DMW also works closely with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure that Filipino migrant workers are able to find decent and well-paying jobs abroad. Additionally, the DMW partners with various government agencies and civil society organizations to provide comprehensive assistance to migrant workers. ​

Under Executive Order No. 56, this department was founded in 2017, and since then, it has been productive in assisting OFWs. While the Department of Migrant Workers assists OFW families and individuals in a variety of ways, one of its primary responsibilities is executing labor contracts and enabling foreign recruitment services to help Filipinos effectively find employment overseas.

Also Read: How to Open an OFW Bank Account in Overseas Filipino Bank

The Department of Migrant Workers will have comprehensive and centralized responsibility over all matters relating to OFWs.

This article will describe the services, functions, responsibilities, purposes, benefits, and agencies provided to Filipino workers overseas by the Department of Migrant Workers.

What is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)?

The executive branch of the Philippine government, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), is in charge of protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.

The National Economic and Development Authority’s national development programs must be taken into consideration as the DMW works to facilitate the employment and reintegration of Filipino overseas workers. Additionally, through ongoing training and knowledge development, it is mandated to promote the protection and empowerment of OFWs.

Benefits of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)

For migrant workers and their families, the Department of Migrant Workers offers vital services. Along with counseling and legal services, the department also provides educational and training programs.

Additionally, the department aims to protect the rights of migrant workers and enhance their employment conditions. The work of the department benefits migrant workers as well as their families, communities, and workplaces. The department benefits society as a whole by ensuring that migrant workers are treated fairly and have access to necessary services.

List of Agencies under the New DMW Office

Here’s a list of agencies that are migrated into this new OFW department:

International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB)

ILAB is primarily in charge of managing international labor and employment standards, formulating suggestions for current labor laws, and overseeing the nation’s compliance and implementation of the obligations, courteous, and facilities demanded by international organizations. Additionally, it is responsible for offering advice to the Office of the Secretary on how to oversee, monitor, and report on the activities of POLO offices and Filipino resource and help centers around the world.

National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP, as an attached agency)

The National Maritime Polytechnic is mandated to conduct research and studies on maritime technologies, trends, and other concerns, as well as conducting specialization and upgrading courses, competency evaluation and ratings for marine officers and trainees in compliance with national and international maritime education and training (MET) standards.

National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO)

The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) was established with the intention of assisting in the reintegration of Filipino migrant workers who have been fired or relocated and their families by assisting them to create and sustain a stable and long-term livelihood upon their return to the nation.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)

Protecting and promoting the welfare of OFWs and their dependents is the responsibility of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Pre-departure, on-site, and post-arrival are the three stages of migration when OWWA is present. The OWWA educates first-time workers on the reality of working overseas before they depart. They also get an education in fundamental languages.

Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA)

The Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA), a department of the Department of Foreign Affairs, is in charge of coordinating issues relating to the international labor and employment industry. It also plays an important role in promoting the protection and promotion of welfare of migrant workers and their families by developing programs that will meet their requirements both domestically and internationally.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

For all manning and recruitment agencies, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is in charge of managing the country’s overseas labor operations. Its responsibility is to develop, oversee, and assess programs and regulations that facilitate the hiring of Filipinos for work overseas in order to open up opportunities for Filipino migrant workers. Additionally, it helps to guarantee the protection and promotion of the rights of Filipino migrant workers and to advance their repatriation in the event of any abuse or violation of those rights.

Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs)

The POLOs are also responsible for working with the regional and central offices of OWWA and DOLE to check employment-related documents and coordinate the implementation of Philippine labor policies and programs, carry out needs-based community initiatives, and participate in socio-cultural events hosted by the Philippine government, host nations, Filipino communities, and other groups.

Also Read: Services Offered by the Philippine Consulate and Overseas Labor Office in Dubai

Functions and Responsibilities

• Control the recruiting, employment, and deployment of OFWs.
• Develop, recommend, and implement national policies, strategies, programs, and guidelines that would assure the protection of OFWs.
• Encourage and strengthen resource and information sharing between relevant organizations, and create an online database to enhance services for OFWs in compliance with Section 18 [Management Information System] of the Act.
• Encourage the professionalization of private recruitment and manning agencies, promote ethical hiring practices, ensure compliance to legal and ethical norms, and invest in their training and capacity-building.
• Investigate, initiate, pursue, and assist in prosecution of illegal recruitment and human trafficking cases in collaboration with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (lACAT).
• Protect and promote the Welfare, well-being, and interests of the families of OFWs.
• Provide trainings aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of OFWs, as well as job matching services, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and other government agencies, civil society organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.
• Support and assist the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and relevant government organizations in developing solid and friendly relationships with counterpart and relevant organizations overseas.
• Support and assist the DFA in the negotiations of intergovernmental, bilateral, and multilateral processes, initiatives, and programs that principally deal with labor migration.
• To protect the rights and welfare of these workers, private recruitment and manning organizations engaged in the deployment of OFWs overseas must be subject to regulation.
• Provides assistance to OFWs who are victims of abuse and illegal recruitment
• Will cover the obligations and responsibilities of the National Maritime Polytechnic, International Labor Affairs Bureau, and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DMW Programs and Services

To help Filipino workers overseas, the Department of Migrant Workers offers a variety of programs and services. They consist of the following:

Career counseling services

For overseas workers who want to start their own business when they return home, the DMW also provides counseling on money management and entrepreneurial development.

Legal assistance services

Legal assistance services are to be provided by the Department of Migrant Workers to assist OFWs with issues relating to their employment, such as contract disputes and violations. Additionally, it assists in finding solutions to problems with recruiting, deployment, repatriation, promotion, and protection against mistreatment, exploitation, harassment, and discrimination.

Livelihood programs for OFWs (LPO)

This program intends to support OFWs in starting their own businesses or expanding current ones. The LPO offers support in the form of cash, education, and marketing help to make ensure that your company is successful.

Training programs

In to assist OFWs in expanding their businesses, the department also provides training programs on entrepreneurship, financial management, and other subjects. By teaching them skills that will make them more independent, the department intends to assist OFWs in becoming less dependent on their family at home.

Welfare services

Families whose primary breadwinners have passed away or become disabled overseas are given financial assistance by welfare services. Additionally, it offers emergency cash to OFWs who need to leave their host countries because of personal issues or local natural disasters.

List of DMW Online Services

Balik-Manggagawa (BM) Processing

The previous BM Online System has been replaced with this one. The functionality of the previous system has been merged, and POPS-Bam is now connected to DMW’s e-Registration System and other online processing systems.

Direct-Hire Processing

The procedure of applying for and processing direct hire overseas employment can be done by applicants or workers when they create their profile accounts.

E-Registration

For Filipino applicants looking for work overseas, the DMW e-Registration System is an improved online registration system.

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Records

The Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or their relatives may submit an online request for the issuance of an OFW’s Information Sheet or Record through the DMW OFW Records Online Appointment System.

Online Recruitment Authority Application (ORAA)

Online applications for the issuance of Special Recruitment Authorities (SRA), Letters of Acknowledgement (LOA), and SRA with LOA are handled through the ORAA System.

Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS)

For applicants who want to work overseas, the online PEOS is a web-based learning session that must be completed before applying.

Video: Interview with Dept. of Migrant Workers Sec. Susan ‘Toots’ Ople

To know more about Ms. Susan “Toots” Ople’s video interview about the Department of Migrant Workers, see the YouTube video below from CNN Philippines Official.

Ms. Ople talks about some of the Department’s top priorities. She also emphasized that the main focus will be on protecting Filipino workers who are employed overseas and ensuring their well-being

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any further questions regarding “Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)”, see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.

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. Who benefits from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)?

The Department of Migrant Workers’ establishment will be beneficial to migrant workers and their families. In addition to providing education and training programs, the department also provides legal and counseling services.

3. What is the main objective of the Department of Migrant Workers?

The Department of Migrant Workers’ main objective is to help OFWs who have fallen victim to mistreatment and illegal recruitment.

They also assist OFWs who are victims of human trafficking, a kind of modern slavery that involves the use of coercion, fraud, or force for the purpose of exploitation.

4. What is the purpose of 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.

5. What types of services does Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) offer?

The Department of Migrant Workers provides a variety of services to assist Filipino workers overseas, including legal assistance, livelihood programs for OFWs (LPO), training programs, welfare services, and online services such as BM processing, direct hire processing, e-registration, overseas Filipino worker (OFW) records, online recruitment authority application (ORAA), and pre-employment orientation seminars (PEOS).

6. Who will benefit in Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) bill?

This bill will support OFWs, migrant Filipinos, and their families that require emergency assistance.

7. How does the DMW coordinate with other agencies of the government?

The Department of Migrant Workers was created with the aim of centralizing and coordinating the different help programs accessible to overseas workers. Additionally, it aims to increase the services offered to OFWs’ accessibility, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Along with coordinating with other government organizations, the Department of Migrant Worker (DMW) is responsible for overseeing the development of migrant worker policy as well as the control of recruitment and deployment agencies.

8. What is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)’s address?

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)’s address is Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Ave., Cor. EDSA Ave., Mandaluyong City, Philippines 1104.

9. What is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)’s office hour?

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) office is open from Monday to Friday 8:00am to 9:00pm (Closed on Philippines public holidays).

10. What is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)’s hotline number?

You can reach the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) office at 8-722-11-44 and 8-722-11-55. You can also send a message to Department of Migrant Workers via messenger.

Department of Migrant Workers Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph

11. What is the email address of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)?

The email addresses of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are:

• General inquiry: connect@dmw.gov.ph
• Request for assistance / repatriation: repat@dmw.gov.ph
• Feedback and suggestions: feedback@dmw.gov.ph

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. DMW 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.

Moreover, DMW was envisioned as the ray of hope for Filipinos who have long endured spending time away from their homes in support of their loved ones, voicing their concerns, and fighting for their rights and welfare.

Furthermore, the government will continue to support our fellow Filipinos, wherever they may be in the world, as long as the campaign is ongoing.

Contact Information

Main headquarters office

Address: Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Ave., Cor. EDSA Ave., Mandaluyong City, Philippines 1104

E-mail address:

• General inquiries: connect@dmw.gov.ph
• Request for assistance / repatriation: repat@dmw.gov.ph
• Feedback and suggestions: feedback@dmw.gov.ph

Hotline Number: 8-722-11-44 and 8-722-11-55

Website: https://www.dmw.gov.ph/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph

Google Map Location

The previous POEA logo in the Blas Ople building has been changed to DMW. This is the location map guide of the DMW office in the Philippines: