The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced that 7,051 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents have been repatriated through government assistance, nearly two months into the ongoing Middle East war. As of April 25, the total includes 5,669 workers and 1,382 dependents, with meeting points, exit points, and fly-out arrangements already established for over 7,000 repatriates.
Preparations for Escalation
The DMW stated that it is preparing for a possible large-scale repatriation if tensions in the region escalate further. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac noted that OFW deployment to the Middle East has declined, but expressed hope that it will rebound once the crisis ends, similar to the resurgence observed after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact Assessment
Secretary Cacdac emphasized that it is still too early to determine whether the decline in deployment will have short-term, medium-term, or long-term effects on the overseas employment sector. The DMW continues to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino workers abroad.
