Department of Migrant Workers Introduce New Unit Focused on Repatriation of OFWs

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is pushing its efforts to rescue distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). In line with this, the government agency recently launched the One Repatriation Command Center (One-Repat DMW). The new unit will provide an immediate response to repatriate OFWs from abusive employers.

The command center is situated at the Blas F Ople Building in Pasig City where walk-ins may be received. Families of distressed OFWs may also contact the One-Repat DMW hotline at 1348 while OFWs can send an email to repat@dmw.gov.ph to seek assistance. Case officers, welfare officers, and medical professionals will handle the concerns received by the DMW.

“In the past, OFWs and their loved ones had to knock on the doors of several government agencies to ask for help,” explained DMW Secretary Susan Ople. Prior to the One-Repat DMW, the process for seeking assistance was scattered across various agencies. These included the Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“It’s heartbreaking to see families from the provinces traveling all the way to Manila, incurring needless debts and expenses, and dealing with long periods of anxiety while waiting for the response from government agencies,” added Ople, noting how the command center consolidates the entire process in a single hub. However, Ople and DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega elaborated that DMW or DFA officers will not conduct the “actual rescue.”

The government will continue to respect international and domestic laws for these cases. Instead, the Philippine Embassy or Consulate within the host country will coordinate with law enforcement agencies to rescue OFWs. The DMW also expects to receive calls that are not necessarily related to repatriation. “There will be a triage. We will prioritize repatriation cases especially acts of sexual violence, physical abuse, faced labor, and human trafficking abroad,” Ople affirmed.

Source: BusinessMirror