The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced a major move to set up Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in various Southeast Asian countries. This plan is aimed at helping Filipino workers who have been tricked by fake job offers and end up trapped in scam hubs, often facing abuse and forced labor.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed this initiative during a recent Senate hearing. He admitted that the Philippines currently does not have any DMW offices in ASEAN member countries, but promised that this issue will be addressed within the year.
“We don’t have Migrant Workers Offices in ASEAN yet, but we will fix this problem within the year,” Secretary Cacdac said, showing the department’s commitment to protecting Filipinos abroad.
MWOs serve as the DMW’s offices abroad. These offices are important because they offer help to overseas workers, such as labor-related support, welfare services, and administrative assistance. Cacdac shared that the department has already started talks to open its first office in Bangkok, Thailand. Plans are also in place to set up offices in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar—countries where scam hubs and human trafficking cases have been reported.
According to Cacdac, many Filipinos have already filed complaints about being lured into scam jobs. These reports are sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which handles rescue operations. However, Cacdac believes that having local MWOs in these countries will make it easier to assist and bring back affected workers.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega supported the plan, saying that having MWOs in these areas will speed up the repatriation process for victims. He stressed the importance of faster government response to protect Filipino workers from abuse and exploitation.
The DMW is also actively working with social media companies to fight the spread of fake job offers online. Cacdac said the department has teamed up with Facebook and TikTok to remove misleading posts. So far, they have taken down more than 73,000 fake job advertisements. Still, he admitted the problem is ongoing.
“Every time we remove one post, two or three more may appear,” Cacdac explained, noting that this is why daily online monitoring is necessary. However, the department faces challenges due to limited manpower. Only 10 DMW staff members are currently assigned to monitor these online scams 24/7.
Despite the difficulties, Cacdac assured senators that the government provides financial assistance to scam victims once they return to the Philippines. Complaints against illegal recruiters are also forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for legal action.
By opening MWOs in ASEAN countries, the Philippines hopes to give faster, stronger support to its overseas workers. The new offices will play a vital role in protecting Filipinos from scams, rescuing victims, and ensuring their safe return home.