In 2022, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) was created through Republic Act Number 11641. It is the primary government agency that is tasked with upholding the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. It has also “absorbed” the functions of agencies such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), among others.
Today, the DMW operates 16 Regional Offices (ROs) across the Philippines, and 39 Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) abroad, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Here in Abu Dhabi, there is a designated MWO for OFWs who are based in the emirate.
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What is the Migrant Workers Office?
According to its official website, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) serves as the operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) when it comes to implementing labor policies and programs that promote and protect the welfare and interests of OFWs abroad.
In Abu Dhabi, the MWO is headed by a Labor Attaché, and is comprised of several sections: Labor and Employment Facilitation Services, Welfare Services Section, and Assistance to Nationals. Each sections consists of administrative staff, welfare officers, and other personnel.
Functions and Responsibilities
The MWO Abu Dhabi website presents the following functions and responsibilities of the office:
- Protecting the rights and promoting the welfare and interests of overseas workers;
- Assisting OFWs with all problems related to employer-employee relationships;
- Promoting and implementing the DMW’s overseas employment program, in line with the overall policy thrust of the government;
- Verifying employment contracts and other employment-related documents;
- Monitoring and reporting to the Home Office (HO) the situations and policy developments in the UAE that may affect migrant workers and Philippine labor policies;
- Supervising and coordinating the operations of the Migrant Workers Resource Center (MWRC);
- Pursuing needs-based community development and relations programs, and engaging in socio-cultural activities organized by the Philippine government, the UAE, Filipino communities, and other entities; and
- Performing other directions that may be directed by the Secretary of Migrant Workers.
Programs and Services
MWO Abu Dhabi provides several labor services and welfare services, as follows:
Labor Services
OFWs can contact or visit the office for accessing labor services such as DMW online services, verification of employment contracts, and verification of job orders (for recruitment agencies).
- DMW Online Services Portal. Using this platform, OFWs can sign up for e-Registration, file a concern through the DMW Helpdesk, and submit applications through the Online Jobfair page.
- Contract Verification. OFWs working in the emirate can have their employment contracts verified at MWO Abu Dhabi.
- Verification of Job Orders. Recruitment agencies may apply for verification of their job orders through MWO Abu Dhabi.
Welfare Services
The DMW has an attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which provides social and welfare programs and services to member-OFWs and their families.
Specifically, OWWA offers the following services through its regional and overseas offices:
- Information and guidance;
- Psycho-social counseling and conciliation services;
- Legal assistance, outreach missions, training, and other services.
SSS Services
Aside from the above, the MWO provides services related to the Social Security System (SSS), a government-run social insurance program for Filipino workers in the private, professional, and informal sectors. Member-OFWs can access services such as record verification, payment of contributions, filing and claiming of benefits, and more.
For members in the Philippines as well as abroad, the SSS offers seven different types of benefits, namely: retirement, sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, death, and funeral assistance.
Pag-IBIG Fund Services
Through MWO Abu Dhabi, OFWs can also access services related to their Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund membership. Similar to the SSS, the Pag-IBIG Fund is a state-run corporation. Operating under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), this agency provides affordable shelter financing and a national savings program for its members.
Services offered by Pag-IBIG include housing loans, multipurpose loans, calamity loans, and savings programs. At MWO Abu Dhabi, member-OFWS can seek assistance regarding record verification, payment contributions, filing and claiming of benefits, etc.
Other Services
As the operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), MWO Abu Dhabi is engaged in other services like anti-illegal recruitment efforts, and also works in coordination with Filipino community associations in the emirate.
Last year, for example, the DMW released an advisory, warning the public about the proliferation of illegal overseas job advertisements. The agency reminded everyone to be wary of fake job posting on Facebook, social media platforms, and other websites. It also urged Filipino job seekers to connect with licensed recruitment agencies only, and to visit the official website of DMW to view the list of approved job orders and other information.
Meanwhile, the MWO Abu Dhabi website also has a Filipino Community (FILCOM) Corner, which features a directory of Philippine Professional Organizations (PPOs) in the UAE. Basically, this is a list of accredited professional organizations, including nurses, engineers, teachers, architects, and other Filipino professionals. The directory lists the official representative, email address, and mobile number of each organization.
Video: Information Campaign for OFW Voters
Since the Philippine mid-term elections is set to take place this year, MWO Abu Dhabi has begun an information campaign for OFW voters in the emirate. The following video discusses the different steps and procedures involved in the voting process:
Contact Information: MWO Abu Dhabi
For OFWs in Abu Dhabi, if you have any questions or concerns, or if you need help or assistance of any kind, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) through the following contact details:
Address: W-48, Street No. 8, Sector 2-23, Plot 51, Al Qubaisat – Abu Dhabi
Telephone: +971 56 270 9157
Email: mwo_abudhabi@dmw.gov.ph
Website: https://poloabudhabi.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poloabudhabi2019/
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), along with its Migrants Workers Offices (MWOs), was established to make sure that the rights and well-being of OFWs are upheld, wherever they may be in the world. Thanks to MWO Abu Dhabi, we can rest assured that Filipinos in the emirate — and their families back home — can easily get help and assistance.
Of course, as foreign workers in the UAE, we should always be aware of the country’s customs and practices, so that we would not get into trouble, especially when interacting with locals and other nationalities. Check out this article to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of living in Abu Dhabi.