Pinirmahan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte nitong Huwebes ang Republic Act 11641 o ang batas na lilikha sa Department of Migrant Workers.
"The establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers happens on the celebration of Rizal Day, when we honor, not only the exceptional love of country of Dr. Jose Rizal, but also the patriotism, excellence and courage of our modern-day heroes, including our overseas Filipino [workers]," pahayag ni Duterte matapos na lagdaan ang batas.
"There is no better way to serve the Filipino people but by giving them the honest, efficient and responsive government that they deserve," patuloy niya.
Sa ilalim ng bagong batas, pangunahing tungkulin ng Department of Migrant Workers na protektahan ang karapatan at itaguyod ang kapakanan ng mga OFW at mga Pinoy sa abroad.
Ilang ahensiya ng pamahalaan ang ililipat sa DMW, kabila ang Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), na kasalukuyang nasa ilalim ng Department of Labor and Employment.
Kabilang sa tungkulin ng DMW ay, "formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, and implement policies, and undertake systems for regulating, managing, and monitoring the overseas employment of Filipino workers and reintegration of OFWs and other OFs, while taking into consideration the national development programs formulated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)."
Ang bagong kagawaran ay kinabibilangan ng isang secretary, apat na undersecretaries, at mga assistant secretary.—FRJ, GMA News
