April 8, 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) rejected claims that around 40,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are stranded in the Philippines due to a deployment ban.
In a social media post Wednesday, the DMW said there is no ban imposed for those bound for the Middle East, despite ongoing tensions in the region.
“Our shared responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of our OFWs, especially in times of crisis,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told recruitment agencies in a meeting Tuesday to address concerns involving Middle East-bound workers, those currently deployed, and those seeking repatriation.
Cacdac assured that the government continues to allow deployment to the region under existing protocols, noting that alert levels issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) do not automatically translate to a blanket suspension.
He said that the DMW is working with licensed Philippine recruitment agencies to monitor the situation on the ground, assist deployed workers, and address concerns of those scheduled for deployment or seeking repatriation.
Recruitment agencies were instructed to intensify monitoring of their deployed workers and ensure immediate assistance, particularly in areas with heightened security risks.
Amid the tensions in the Middle East, the DMW is enhancing its Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar to prepare OFWs for evolving security conditions in host countries.
Meanwhile, voluntary repatriation for OFWs and their dependents who wish to return home continues to be implemented, with reintegration support as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
For returning workers seeking overseas employment anew, the DMW rolled out its Creating Alternative Labor Market initiative that aims to accelerate redeployment through expanded job opportunities in high-demand sectors.
The initiative, which is being carried out in partnership with private recruitment agencies, includes virtual interviews, targeted job fairs, and faster job matching across labor markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. (PNA)