PRESS RELEASE NAPC-FLMWS lauds the creation of Department of Migrant Workers

After more than a year of lobbying by the National Anti-Poverty Commission Formal Labor and Migrant Workers Sector (NAPC-FLMWS) and various stakeholders even during the pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law creating the Department of Migrant Workers yesterday. “Yesterday’s historic event not only marked the 125th anniversary of the martyrdom of our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, but also recognized our modern-day heroes by enacting a law creating the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW),” said NAPC-FLMWS Sectoral Representative Edwin Bustillos. “Through this measure, the government recognizes the importance of migrant workers not only for their economic contribution but also their welfare by coming up with a department which will truly address their issues and concerns,” said Bustillos. The NAPC-FLMWS requested President Duterte to certify the bills filed in both houses as urgent and directed the Congress to legislate the creation of such during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2019. “This Administration’s malasakit at serbisyo program has, of course, reached the Filipinos who labor in foreign lands. The milestone signing of the Bilateral Labor Agreement with Kuwait in 2018 is a testament of my commitment to stop abuses inflicted on our overseas Filipinos. To ensure their welfare, protection, and their access to government services, the establishment of the Department of Overseas Filipinos will sufficiently address this particular need,” President Duterte said in his SONA. “Republic Act 11641 will harmonize the implementation of all policies and programs for the welfare of our migrant workers under one roof,” said NAPC-FLMWS Council Member for Migrant Workers Luther Calderon. There will be a synergy of plans and actions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), offices which will comprise the new department. Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will become an attached agency of the department. The new department will ensure efficiency in collaboration and coordination of tasks responding to the multi-faceted concerns of migrant workers. The full implementation of the law might happen in 2023 for a smooth transition among mother agencies of the offices mentioned, but we are certain that this will further address the gaps and ensure that the new department will be fully operational by 2023,” Calderon said. “We are in unison with the migrant organizations and legislators who championed the bills up to the passage of this legislation. The law also provides requirements for ethical recruitment, accreditation of foreign principals to ensure that migrant workers will not fall prey to illegal recruitment, contract violation or contract substitution when they reach their country of destination,” Calderon said. Additionally, the numerous hotlines will be just one under the DMW’s 24/7 Emergency Response and Action Center to respond to emergencies and reports of migrant workers, whether documented or undocumented. “The NAPC, consistent with its mandate, particularly the NAPC-FLMWS, will continue to monitor and actively participate in the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations of the law,” said Bustillos.# References: Edwin Bustillos, Sectoral Representative (0917-801-7309) Luther Calderon, Council Member (0917-579-2711)

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