NEWS

DMW, labor offices on heightened alert

Kimberly Anne Ojeda · Jun 14, 2025, 10:28 PM

DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac, together with State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Labor and Economy (BMAW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will provide employment opportunities for Filipinos while addressing Austria’s shortage of skilled workers.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) along with its frontline offices in the Middle East known as the Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) are on heightened alert following the steep escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran.

At a news forum on Saturday, DMW Undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services Bernard Olalia said MWOs in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and other nearby countries are on standby 24/7 for rescue operations to be led by their respective labor attachés. These include providing shelter, food, temporary lodging, and repatriation assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Olalia said the families of OFWs in the Philippines can call the DMW’s 1348 hotline for updates on their loved ones in the affected countries.

“OFWs and their families may call to know the situation of their loved ones in Israel and neighboring countries,” Olalia said.

Although the Israeli and Iranian airspace remain closed, Olalia assured that the agency is exploring alternative routes for repatriation, including land-based evacuation through nearby safe countries.