DMW: Deployment declines as OFWs backing out amid Middle East conflict

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday reported a drop in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as many were backing out from jobs amid the Middle East tensions.

“Merong ulat na mga hindi natutuloy at ito nga talaga 'yung talagang ‘di hamak na bumaba talaga ang deployment dahil nagkakaroon na rin ang kapasyahan ng mga OFWs natin na huwag patuloy,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told GMA News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(There are reports that some are not proceeding and this is really the reason why the deployment has really decreased because our OFWs are also making the decision not to continue.)

“Kaya nagbibigay lang tayo ng advisory to stay where you are. Wala namang ‘stranded’ sa sariling bayan,” he added.

(That’s why we are just giving an advisory to stay where you are. There are no ‘stranded’ people in our own country.)

Cacdac said that flight cancellations and safety concerns have contributed to the slowdown, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, transport, construction, and events management.

He clarified that earlier reports citing 40,000 stranded OFWs may not accurately reflect the situation on the ground based on the information from recruitment agencies.

Government agencies, including the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), have been assisting affected workers at airports since the early days of the conflict, Cacdac said.

Among the assistance are financial aid, temporary accommodation, transportation support, and travel assistance back to their home provinces.

To help displaced or returning workers, Cacdac said the Philippine government has been organizing job fairs and livelihood initiatives in coordination with local government units and other agencies.

Cacdac noted that there is currently no total deployment ban despite the conflict.—AOL, GMA News