The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the executive department of the Philippine government tasked with protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Created under Republic Act No. 11641, also known as the “Department of Migrant Workers Act,” it began full operations in 2022.
The department consolidates all agencies dealing with overseas employment into a single entity. Before its creation, OFW-related functions were scattered across the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The DMW absorbed the functions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), which is now the core of the department, along with the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) of the DFA, and the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) of DOLE, among others.
This consolidation simplifies the process for workers. Instead of going to multiple agencies for different permits, complaints, or welfare assistance, OFWs now have one home in the government. The DMW is responsible for regulating recruitment agencies, processing employment contracts, and ensuring that Filipinos working abroad are treated fairly and humanely.
What are the Services Offered by DMW to Filipinos?
The DMW provides end-to-end services for migrant workers, covering pre-employment, employment, and reintegration phases.
Regulation of Recruitment
The department licenses and monitors recruitment agencies to ensure they follow legal and ethical standards. It investigates illegal recruitment activities and imposes penalties on violators. This function protects applicants from scams, human trafficking, and abusive employment terms.
Contract Verification and Processing
Before an OFW leaves the country, their employment contract must be verified by the DMW. This process ensures the contract meets Philippine labor standards and the laws of the host country. The department issues the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), now transitioning to the OFW Pass, which serves as the worker’s exit clearance.
Legal Assistance
Workers facing labor disputes, contract violations, or abuse can seek legal help from the DMW. The department provides lawyers and legal officers to assist OFWs in filing cases against abusive employers or agencies, both in the Philippines and abroad.
Welfare and Protection
The DMW operates the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund. This fund is used to provide legal, medical, and financial assistance to OFWs in distress. This includes repatriation services for workers who need to return home due to war, calamities, or abuse.
Reintegration Support
Working abroad is often temporary. The DMW, in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), helps returning OFWs reintegrate into Philippine society. This includes livelihood assistance, financial literacy training, and job matching services for local employment.
Notable Programs
The DMW implements several key programs designed to modernize services and expand protection for workers.
DMW Mobile App and OFW Pass
The department launched the DMW Mobile App to digitize transactions. The app houses the OFW Pass, a digital identity for migrant workers that replaces the traditional OEC. This shift eliminates the need for workers to line up for physical certificates, making the process faster and more convenient. The app allows users to view their verified contracts and connect directly with the department’s help desk.
One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC)
The ORCC serves as a single touchpoint for all repatriation requests. Families or workers can report distress situations to this center, which then coordinates with embassies, airlines, and other agencies to bring the worker home safely. This streamlines the often chaotic process of emergency repatriation.
Anti-Illegal Recruitment Campaign
The DMW aggressively pursues illegal recruiters. It partners with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct surveillance and entrapment operations. The department also runs information campaigns to educate the public on how to spot and avoid recruitment scams.
Bilateral Labor Agreements
The department negotiates agreements with host countries to secure better working conditions for Filipinos. These agreements often cover specific sectors, such as domestic work or healthcare, ensuring that host governments commit to protecting Filipino workers’ rights under their own laws.
Headquarters Office Location and Contact Information
The main office of the Department of Migrant Workers is located in Mandaluyong City. This is the same building that formerly housed the POEA.
Address:
Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Contact Information:
- Hotline: 1348 (for immediate assistance and inquiries)
- Email: feedback@dmw.gov.ph (for general concerns)
- Facebook Page: facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph
- Note: The Facebook page is highly active and often the fastest way to get updates on new advisories and announcements.
Migrant Workers Offices Abroad (MWOs)
The DMW operates Migrant Workers Offices (formerly known as Philippine Overseas Labor Offices or POLOs) in countries with high concentrations of Filipino workers. These offices are usually attached to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. They serve as the department’s operating arm overseas.
Asia and the Pacific
- Hong Kong
- Macau
- Singapore
- Tokyo, Japan
- Osaka, Japan
- Seoul, South Korea
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Taichung, Taiwan
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canberra, Australia
- Wellington, New Zealand
Middle East
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Dubai, UAE
- Kuwait
- Doha, Qatar
- Manama, Bahrain
- Muscat, Oman
- Amman, Jordan
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Beirut, Lebanon
Europe and the Americas
- London, United Kingdom
- Rome, Italy
- Milan, Italy
- Madrid, Spain
- Berlin, Germany
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Washington D.C., USA
- Los Angeles, USA
- Vancouver, Canada
- Toronto, Canada
News Updates
The landscape of overseas employment changes frequently. Staying updated is important for every OFW and applicant.
Launch of the OFW Pass
The transition from the OEC to the OFW Pass is ongoing. While the OEC is still accepted in some cases during the transition period, the DMW strongly encourages all workers to download the DMW Mobile App and generate their digital OFW Pass. This digital pass is free and valid for use as an exit clearance.
New Wage Orders for Domestic Workers
The DMW periodically reviews and negotiates the minimum wage for domestic workers in various jurisdictions. Recent negotiations in countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have focused on ensuring that the minimum salary stated in contracts is strictly followed and paid through banking channels for transparency.
Crises Response
The DMW actively monitors geopolitical situations that affect OFWs. In recent conflicts affecting the Middle East and parts of Europe, the department has raised alert levels and suspended deployment to high-risk areas. Workers are advised to check the DMW website or Facebook page before accepting offers in regions with ongoing instability.
Scam Alerts
The department regularly issues advisories against non-accredited entities offering “direct hiring” schemes on social media. Job seekers are reminded that direct hiring is strictly regulated and generally prohibited, with very few exceptions. Offers that require upfront payment for medical exams or training fees before a contract is signed are almost always scams.