MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has opened its first two Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary to bring the government’s services closer to 37, 373 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Central Europe.
In a press briefing on Friday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the opening of the MWOs will ensure responsive provisions of comprehensive assistance to the OFWs, including legal, labor, medical, and welfare assistance.
He said the newly opened MWOs aim to support the increasing number of OFWs in Central Europe, as well as provide guidance to foreign employers on the legal process of recruiting and deploying Filipino workers.
DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation PY Caunan said prior to the opening of the two new MWOs, Hungary and Vienna used to be under the coverage of MWO in Milan, Italy.
“We have an office in Milan, siya lahat ang nag-aaikaso ng (which handles all) labor documentation, legal assistance and welfare services. Our MWO in Prague is the one handling also Poland,” she said.
Caunan said currently, the DMW is working on documentary requirements for the MWO Budapest to be fully operational.
She said Republic Act (RA) 11641 or the Migrant Workers Act, provides that there should be an MWO in countries where the Philippines has an embassy or a consulate.
There are around 8, 000 OFWs in Austria and around 12, 000 OFWs combined in Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia, countries covered by MWO-Vienna.
On the other hand, MWO-Budapest’s jurisdiction includes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Moldova, and Montenegro with the presence of a total of 5, 373 OFWs.
The new MWOs will make DMW services close to these OFWs, Caunan said.
She said there are now 41 established MWOs in different countries with high population of OFWs following the opening of MWO in Budapest on September 26, and MWO Vienna on September 29.
Meanwhile, Cacdac said the two new MWOs will also facilitate partnerships with local businesses to create more job opportunities for Filipinos in a safe, orderly, and ethical manner.
“Under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his vision for Bagong Pilipinas, we aim to make the services of DMW accessible to OFWs and their families. The presence of MWOs will ensure timely delivery of assistance and services to overseas workers,” Cacdac said.
He said two more MWOs are expected to be opened this year in Bangkok, Thailand and Agana, Guam, both strategic locations to reach OFWs in Southeast Asia and Micronesia, respectively. (PNA)