Labor attaches in training as DMW takes over DFA's assistance roles

The training of labor attaches in the Middle East and Africa is now ongoing as the assistance-to-nationals (ATN) functions of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are set to be turned over to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) starting July 1, 2023.

DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo De Vega assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that the two departments were together to ensure that those needing assistance will not be affected by the transition.

"We will not abandon them. Hindi ito yung biglang, 'Okay, we'll pass it on to you, bahala na kayo diyan.' The protection of workers is very important. We will guide them every step of the way," De Vega said.

(It's not like, 'We'll pass it on to you and you're on your own.)

Felicitas Bay, DMW Assistant Secretary for Migrant Workers Welfare Services, was also present at the training of labor attaches.

"We have 13 posts with us here. Labor attaches and welfare officers. They are from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Morocco, Oman, Lebanon, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. From Africa, we have Morocco," Bay said.

In an earlier statement, DFA said the DMW will handle all assistance cases involving OFWs in compliance with Republic Act No. 11641, the law creating the DMW.

This includes legal or medical assistance, repatriation, and shipment of remains through AKSYON Fund, except in countries with no resident Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) under the DMW.

De Vega advised migrant Filipino Workers to seek assistance from DMW.

However, he said that in countries with no resident Migrant Workers Offices, the DFA will assist.

"Nagtayo na si Secretary (Susan) Ople ng One Repatriation Command Center. So ang suggestion namin kung ang kamag-anak ninyo alam ninyong hindi immigrant, hindi turista, hindi temporary worker, talagang contract worker - kahit na walang papeles - the best pumunta na sa DMW to ask for assistance," De Vega said.

(Secretary Ople has put up a One Repatriation Command Center. Our suggestion is if you have a relative who is not an immigrant, not a tourist, not a temporary worker, but a contract worker—even if not documented—it will be best to go to the DMW for assistance.)

However, in cases involving Filipino migrant workers facing charges in court or are currently in jail, De Vega said the DFA could not help but be involved.

"There are times when we cannot avoid to be involved. We really have to be involved, for example, death penalty cases or instances where we have to go to jail visits," De Vega said.

"They might need people with higher diplomatic ranking. Certainly when you send a note to the foreign ministry or to the local head of state... [it should be at the] diplomatic level," he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News