By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reiterated its readiness to provide all the necessary assistance and support to Filipinos, including undocumented OFWs in the United States facing potential mass deportations with the shifts in U.S. policies under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
“The DMW is prepared to assist our OFWs, whether they are documented or undocumented OFWs. Under the directives of our President, a whole-of-government team is here to provide support to possible deportees,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.
The DMW, with its attached agency Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has prepared support mechanisms, including financial, medical, and legal assistance through the AKSYON and Emergency Repatriation Fund. These funds will ensure affected Filipinos have immediate access to essential services if they are sent back to the Philippines.
Through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, the DMW will assist in the job retooling, reskilling, and employment facilitation of affected Filipinos, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
In addition to local support, the DMW is exploring job opportunities abroad, focusing on government-to-government agreements in markets such as Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Hungary, and Japan to provide alternative employment options for returnees.
“We will continuously coordinate with the DFA and with the US authorities on monitoring the developments on the ground. Rest assured that DMW, along with its partner agencies, is ready to provide support and assistance to our OFWs,” Cacdac said.
The DWM advises affected Filipino illegal migrants with unpaid wage claims and other labor-related complaints to reach out to Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in the United States. They can be reached through the following:
- MWO Washington DC
Email address: mwo_washingtondc@dmw.gov.ph
Hotline number: 202-467-9426
- MWO Los Angeles
Email address: mwo_losangeles@dmw.gov.ph
Hotline number: 213-887-8573
These MWOs can make representations to US labor authorities to resolve their issues prior to or after deportation.
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