The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the Philippine government’s executive branch dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. Created in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign for its establishment and as part of his final State-of-the-Nation Address on July 26, this office is also responsible for coordinating closely with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) in regard to training, protection, and regulations for Bangsamoro workers being sent abroad.
Various organizations have been consolidated into this new department, including Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) under the Office of the President, International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) under DOLE, International Social Services Office (ISSO) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) under DOLE, National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) under Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs currently under Department of Foreign Affairs.
These organizations have been merged into DMW and this governmental body is also tasked with formulating policies geared towards protecting migrant workers and their families; providing social protection services; conducting studies related to labor migration; monitoring implementation rules concerning recruitment, employment deployment an reintegration; accrediting private recruitment entities; facilitating pre-departure orientation seminars; assisting Filipino migrants and their families transitioning back home; coordinating with other government agencies involved in labor migration programs.
All these processes are designed to ensure th OFWs have access to suitable skills training along with ongoing knowledge development.
Functions and Responsibilities of DMW
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) works to ensure the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families are protected during their time abroad. Specifically, its functions include:
- Developing policies that protect migrant workers and their families
- Providing social protection services
- Conducting studies related to labor migration
- Monitoring the implementation of rules concerning recruitment, employment deployment and reintegration
- Accrediting private recruitment entities
- Facilitating pre-departure orientation seminars
- Assisting Filipino migrants and their families transitioning back home
- Coordinating with other government agencies involved in labor migration programs.
DMW is responsible for formulating an integrated and coordinated approach to addressing the labor migration concerns of the country. It also works with relevant government agencies to ensure that OFWs have access to appropriate skills training and ongoing knowledge development opportunities.
This way, they can maximize their potential and contribute more substantially to the economy of the Philippines.
List of Agencies Combined and Merged with the DMW
The list of agencies and offices merged with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) includes:
- Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA)
- Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) under the Office of the President
- International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) under DOLE
- International Social Services Office (ISSO) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) under DOLE
- National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) under Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA),
- Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs currently under the Department of Foreign Affairs.
What Can You Expect from the DMW?
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) aims to ensure the protection of OFWs and their families throughout their time abroad. This includes formulating policies that protect migrant workers, providing social protection services, accrediting private recruitment entities, facilitating pre-departure orientation seminars, assisting Filipino migrants transitioning back home and coordinating with other government agencies involved in labor migration programs.
In addition, DMW works to ensure that OFWs have access to skills training and knowledge development opportunities so they can maximize their potential and contribute more substantially to the economy of the Philippines. The ultimate goal is for all Filipinos working overseas to be provided with a safe and secure environment while away from home.
Furthermore, DMW takes active steps to ensure the successful reintegration of OFWs back into the local community. This includes providing access to resources, such as counseling and reintegration services that help them adjust more easily to life after returning home.
Video: DMW is the First Philippine Agency to Go Digitally Empowered
The DMW is the first government agency in the Philippines to go digitally empowered. As part of its efforts to promote digital transformation, the department launched a nationwide program that would enable OFWs and their families to access services more conveniently via internet-connected devices.
The DMW also provides online resources, such as employment information and job vacancies, that can be accessed on the web or through mobile apps. The goal is to make life easier for Filipino workers abroad by providing them with essential information and resources at the click of a button.
Summary
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is a crucial part of protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. With this new executive branch in place, Filipinos can be sure that they will receive adequate protection while abroad as well as upon their return home.