The Department of Migrant Workers (Filipino: Kagawaran ng Manggagawang Pandarayuhan,[4] abbreviated as DMW) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the protection of the rights and promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and their families. The department was created under the Department of Migrant Workers Act (Republic Act No. 11641) that was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 30, 2021.[5] The functions and mandate of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns (OPAOC) will serve as the backbone of the department and absorbing the seven offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) namely the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (OUMWA) of the DFA, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) of the DOLE. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (from DOLE) will serve as its attached agency and the DMW secretary will serve as the concurrent chairperson of OWWA.[6]
On July 12, 2019, during the Araw ng Pasasalamat for OFWs (Thanksgiving day for the Overseas Filipino Workers), President Duterte in a speech promised to finish the framework for the creation of a department that caters to the need of OFWs.[7]
On July 23, 2019, Taguig-Pateros Representative and SpeakerAlan Peter Cayetano together with Representative Lani Cayetano of Taguig and Representative Paolo Duterte of Davao City filed House Bill No. 00002 and was referred to the Congressional Committee on Government Reorganization and Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. On March 11, 2020, the House of Representatives with 173 yeas and 11 nays, approved House Bill No. 5832 or the creation of Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment.[8][9]
During his finalState of the Nation Address on July 26, 2021, President Duterte marked House Bill No. 5832 as urgent and urged the Senate to pass the bill.[10] Senator Joel Villanueva filed Senate Bill No. 1848 or the Department of Overseas Filipinos Act. Subsequent bills were filed in the Senate and were consolidated under Senate Bill No. 2234. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon introduced several institutional amendments that delimit the scope of the new department to overseas migrant workers and the welfare of Filipinos overseas will be handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs. On December 14, 2021, the Senate unanimously (20-0-0) approved Senate Bill No. 2234[11][12]
The following day, the House chose to adopt SB No. 2234 over its House Bill No. 5832[13] understanding the urgent certification of the President.
On December 30, 2021, Rizal Day, President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11641 to approve the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers.[14]
Organizational Structure
The department is currently headed by a secretary with the following undersecretaries and assistant secretaries:
Undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services
Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Welfare and Foreign Employment
Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation
Undersecretary for Finance and Internal Affairs
Assistant Secretary for Land-Based Services
Assistant Secretary/Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary
Assistant Secretary for Pre-Employment Services
Assistant Secretary for Migrant Workers’ Welfare Services
Assistant Secretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services
Assistant Secretary for Sea-Based Services
Assistant Secretary for Internal Management and Administration
^Abdullah Mama-o served only as the ad interim secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers from March 9 to June 30, as the department has just been established under the Duterte administration.
^DMW undersecretary Cacdac was first assigned Officer in Charge of the department from September 7, 2023 to April 25, 2024, after the death of Sec. Ople and has assumed the position of secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers on April 26, 2024.[15][16]