DMW urges temporary halt on OFW deployment to Middle East conflict zones

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has urged private recruitment agencies (PRAs) to temporarily delay the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to conflict-affected areas in the Middle East due to escalating tensions and travel restrictions.

Deployment restrictions remain in place for Iran, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon, with Lebanon under Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation, no new deployments).

Israel is under Alert Level 2, prohibiting new hires but allowing returning workers, though airspace closures currently prevent their travel.

New hires are prohibited from traveling to Jordan, and returning OFWs may be turned back due to airspace restrictions.

Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo has called on the DMW, DFA, and BI to suspend OFW deployment to areas surrounding Iran and Israel, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt, until a ceasefire is in place.

The DMW has assisted 58 stranded OFWs as of June 19, with 43 bound for Israel and 15 for Jordan, facilitated by Migrant Workers Offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

PRAs are mandated to maintain communication with employers, conduct welfare checks, develop contingency plans, and shoulder rerouting costs for affected OFWs, with non-compliant agencies facing penalties and must shoulder the travel costs for any turned-back OFWs.