Curated news from DMW, OWWA, Philippine embassies, and Asian migration authorities — updated regularly.
6 November 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City, reported on 6 November 2026. From now on, when OFWs or their families report a suspicious online job offer to the DMW, the complaint will be referred to police cybercrime investigators rather than stopping at the DMW desk. The two agencies will also share information, build cases together, train on new cybercrime methods and coordinate investigations into online illegal recruitment, human trafficking, fraud and identity theft. The Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) will add lessons on online scams, digital literacy, and illegal recruitment and trafficking. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac urged: "Before you apply, verify. Check if the agency is licensed and the job order is approved by the DMW. Never pay fees to a personal account, and if you see something suspicious online, report it to the DMW." If you are in or heading to Asia, check any agency and job order with the DMW before you apply, and keep screenshots, chat logs and payment details of suspicious offers so investigators have evidence.
Source: The Global Filipino Magazine (DMW / PNP-ACG), 6 November 2026
30 October 2026
DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac has proposed mandatory medical insurance for household workers in Bahrain in a meeting with Bahrain's Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) chief executive Nibras Mohammed Talib, according to BusinessMirror. The talks also covered a wage protection system, a grace period for work permit renewal, and measures against trafficking in persons and overstaying. The report gives no details yet on coverage, cost or timing, so these are proposals and not rules in force. Separately, DMW figures cited in the report show deployment to Bahrain fell 38.03 percent in the first eight months of the year, to 9,074 OFWs from 14,642 a year earlier, while Middle East deployment overall dropped to 453,952 in August from 677,082. DMW also said it has given financial aid to about 4,300 affected OFWs in the region. For OFWs in Bahrain: keep your contract, passport and residence permit details up to date, check that your work permit renewal is not left to the last minute, and report unpaid wages or document confiscation to the Migrant Workers Office or the DMW hotline. If you are considering a job in Bahrain, verify the agency's accreditation with the DMW before paying any fees or signing anything.
Source: BusinessMirror (DMW statement), 27 October 2026
28 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has warned OFWs and their families not to believe or share a viral post claiming that all Filipino workers in Riyadh must evacuate. The post carried the DMW logo and a photo of a DMW official, but the agency stated that it is not a government announcement and that no general evacuation order for Riyadh has been issued. Reports say the DMW urged the public to rely only on dmw.gov.ph and the verified pages of the DMW, the DFA, the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Riyadh. Workers in Saudi Arabia are advised to follow official security advisories, confirm flight status with their airline before going to the airport, and avoid areas that could be targeted, including military installations and oil facilities. Saudi authorities also strictly enforce laws against spreading unverified information, so avoid photographing or circulating videos of security incidents. If a message about evacuation or fees reaches you, check it against the official channels or call your agency or the Embassy before acting or forwarding it.
Source: The Global Filipino Magazine (DMW statement), 24 October 2026
27 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported on 26 October 2026 that 1,000 overseas Filipino workers have been repatriated from Bahrain amid the Middle East security crisis, while about 4,300 other OFWs received financial assistance and 6,000 food packs were distributed to affected Filipinos in Bahrain. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac met the Filipino community there on Sunday, 25 October, where workers raised concerns about employment, pensions, education, healthcare and livelihood. Proposals included adding the Professional Regulation Commission to future service caravans for nurses, pension benefits, help for former migrant workers running small businesses, a possible amnesty for undocumented Filipinos, and scholarships for OFWs' children. The DMW gave no commitments or dates for these proposals. Cacdac said: "Per instruction of the President, just continue to serve the OFWs." What to do: OFWs in affected areas should stay in contact with their employer, the nearest Migrant Workers Office or embassy, and OWWA; legal and medical help is available through the AKSYON Fund and the OFW Hospital. Rely only on official DMW and OWWA channels for aid information, as unofficial posts and fake assistance offers circulate during crises.
Source: The Filipino Times (DMW statements), 26 October 2026
26 October 2026
Another 49 OFWs arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 on a Gulf Air flight on 23 October 2026 under voluntary repatriation amid Middle East tensions, bringing the total repatriated from Saudi Arabia to 248, according to the Daily Tribune. The DMW and OWWA gave returnees financial assistance, psychosocial counseling and transport to their home provinces, and an airport medical team offered free health checks. Earlier, 99 workers were repatriated on 19–20 October, and the Tribune reported that 249 more were booked to return between 21 and 26 October, with land transfers to alternative departure airports in Al Qassim and Dammam arranged by OWWA, DMW and the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Workers who choose to stay in the Philippines can access employment assistance and livelihood programs through the National Reintegration Network. The repatriations fall under the “Saving Lives” component of the government’s UPLIFT initiative and are supported by OWWA’s emergency repatriation fund. What to do: if you are in Saudi Arabia and want to go home, contact your Migrant Workers Office or the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh rather than a third party, and confirm flight and transfer details with them before travelling. Do not pay anyone for a place on a repatriation flight, and avoid sharing unverified news online.
Source: Daily Tribune (21 and 24 October 2026)
25 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), together with the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, held the two-day Bagong Bayani ng Mundo-OFW Serbisyo Caravan at the Crowne Plaza Convention Center in Manama on 23–24 October 2026. On the first day, 787 OFWs received services and 1,912 transactions were processed, with 11 government agencies taking part, including OWWA, PhilHealth, SSS, PSA, Pag-IBIG Fund, Land Bank, DSWD and the OFW Hospital. Services covered health care, social welfare, social security, financial assistance, civil documentation and consular concerns. The transaction count reflects several services per person rather than the number of individual beneficiaries, and final day-two figures had not been released at the time of reporting. What to do: if you work in Bahrain, check the Philippine Embassy and the DMW Migrant Workers Office for future caravans. Bring your passport, contract and contribution records, and use these events to update SSS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth membership, request civil documents and ask about OWWA benefits in one visit.
Source: The Filipino Times (24 October 2026)
24 October 2026
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a suspect on 11 October 2026 at the airport in Pasay City over alleged large-scale illegal recruitment and qualified trafficking in persons involving 30 OFWs who were allegedly taken to scam operations in Cambodia. According to The Filipino Times, complainants said they were offered jobs through online platforms as customer service representatives and online casino encoders. Once in Cambodia, they allegedly suffered abuse, passport confiscation and prolonged working hours. Investigators are also looking into claims that commissions of ₱40,000 to ₱200,000 were offered to OFWs staying at the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh in exchange for taking part in suspicious online financial transactions. Authorities are still searching for another respondent. The 30 OFWs returned to the Philippines on 10 October 2026 and received legal and welfare assistance, and the DMW-NCR is helping gather evidence, including a certification that the suspect was not licensed to recruit. The charges are allegations and the case is ongoing. What to do: before accepting any job abroad, check the agency's licence and the job order with the DMW. Be wary of online offers for "customer service" or "encoder" work in Cambodia, and never hand over your passport to an employer or recruiter. Report suspicious recruiters to the DMW or NBI.
Source: The Filipino Times (23 October 2026), citing the NBI and the DMW
23 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed the death of a Filipino worker after a drone targeting a facility at Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield was intercepted on 21 October 2026. The worker has not been named. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the DMW has reached out to the bereaved family and is coordinating with the authorities, the worker's company and co-workers. According to the Daily Tribune, OWWA said it had received only initial reports and was still awaiting the full report from Saudi authorities and the company, so details are being verified. Through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Al Khobar, the DMW is arranging legal and welfare assistance, including repatriation of the remains and support for the family. The DMW is also monitoring reports of an attack in Dammam and, at its latest update, had received no reports of Filipinos affected. What to do: OFWs in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East should stay vigilant, follow local safety rules and heed Philippine and Saudi advisories. Avoid areas that may be affected by attacks, including military installations and oil facilities, check flight schedules with your airline before travelling, and do not take or share photos or videos of security incidents, which breaks Saudi regulations. Keep your MWO and embassy contact details at hand.
Source: The Filipino Times and Daily Tribune, citing the DMW and OWWA
21 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said an OFW wounded in the 10 October 2026 attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is improving after successful surgery. She had been comatose and intubated, but a 15 October report from Labor Attaché Dominador Salangga of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Riyadh said her Glasgow Coma Scale score rose from 3/15 to 9/15. Seven OFWs initially needed medical attention, three of them in intensive care; in a later update two had been moved to hospital wards and the others discharged. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government is coordinating with the Saudi authorities so that she is not neglected, following a directive from President Marcos. Contacts for Filipinos needing help: Philippine Embassy Riyadh +966 56 989 3301; MWO Riyadh +966 50 285 0944; Philippine Consulate General Jeddah +966 55 521 9613 or +966 55 521 9614; MWO Al Khobar +966 56 232 9926. OFWs in Saudi Arabia should save these numbers, confirm flights with their airline before going to the airport, and rely only on official DMW and embassy announcements rather than unverified social media posts.
Source: The Manila Times (manilatimes.net)
20 October 2026
Repatriation from Saudi Arabia continues after widespread flight cancellations and delays following the recent security incidents in the region. According to the Daily Tribune, the first batch of 34 OFWs flew from Riyadh via Doha and arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 on 19 October after travelling by ground from Al Qassim, with arrangements made by government welfare officers. A further 65 OFWs were scheduled to arrive on 20 October: 50 from Al Qassim and 15 women from the Bahay Kalinga shelter in Dammam. Current arrangements cover 399 OFWs who want to return; flights are confirmed for 299 of them, funded by OWWA's emergency repatriation fund and the DMW AKSYON Fund, while travel for the remaining 100 is still being finalized. OWWA, the DMW, the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Riyadh are running the operation. Returning workers receive local transportation, temporary shelter, medical support and travel assistance to their home provinces. OFWs in Saudi Arabia who wish to return should contact the Migrant Workers Office or the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh (or their nearest post) rather than relying on unofficial intermediaries, keep passports and documents ready, and follow official DMW and DFA channels for updates, as schedules depend on flight availability.
Source: Daily Tribune (tribune.net.ph)
18 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on 17 October 2026 that an initial group of 200 OFWs stranded in Riyadh by flight cancellations will be flown home at government expense, according to GMA News. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the move follows a directive from President Marcos Jr. The DMW and OWWA will cover the airfare and keep helping stranded workers until commercial Riyadh–Manila flights return to normal. Reports say Philippine Airlines has suspended its Riyadh flights until 29 November 2026 and Cebu Pacific has cancelled Riyadh services until 31 October 2026. King Khalid International Airport has been closed since the 10 October strike, and an embassy advisory dated 15 October says commercial flights are still available from other Saudi airports, including Jeddah and Dammam. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah advise Filipinos with Riyadh tickets to reconsider travel unless it is urgent. The DMW says there is no deployment ban to Saudi Arabia at present. What to do: contact your airline about cancelled tickets, and if you are stranded or want to go home, register with your nearest Migrant Workers Office or the DMW-OWWA 1348 hotline. Do not pay anyone for repatriation tickets, and rely only on official DMW, DFA and OWWA announcements. Saudi emergency numbers: 999 (police), 997 (ambulance), 998 (civil defense), 911 (unified).
Source: GMA News (via Pilipino sa Kuwait); The Global Filipino Magazine, citing the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and DMW
17 October 2026
Following the reported attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 10 October 2026, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac urged OFWs in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, to be careful about what they post online, according to the Daily Tribune (13 October). He said Saudi Arabia strictly enforces its rules against spreading misinformation on social media, and the DMW warned that violations may lead to imprisonment or deportation, depending on the offence and the law applied. OFWs are advised not to post or forward unconfirmed news, rumours or videos about the security situation, and to share only information from reliable, official sources. The DMW also reported that it has given hotel accommodation, financial aid and other help to OFWs hit by flight disruptions, through the DMW-OWWA AKSYON Fund and emergency repatriation funds, with cases handled in Jeddah, Riyadh and at NAIA in Manila. Cacdac advised workers to confirm flight schedules before going to the airport, since cancellations and delays are occurring. What to do: before sharing anything about the situation, check it against DMW, DFA or OWWA announcements; if you are stranded or need help, contact your nearest Migrant Workers Office or the DMW-OWWA 1348 hotline.
Source: Daily Tribune (Neil Alcober), citing DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
16 October 2026
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a radio interview on 15 October 2026 that the agency is helping OFWs in Saudi Arabia who want to return to the Philippines, according to Abante TNT. He said about 50 OFWs have been assisted so far and that the DMW continues to offer free repatriation to workers who wish to go home. According to the report, the DMW buys the plane tickets and is working out alternative itineraries that depart from Saudi Arabia without passing through Riyadh, following the strike on King Khalid International Airport. The report did not give a timeline or say how many more workers may be repatriated, and the situation may change. What to do: if you are in Saudi Arabia and want to return home, contact the DMW-OWWA 1348 hotline or your nearest Migrant Workers Office to register your request, and keep your passport, contract and employer details ready. Do not pay anyone who offers to arrange repatriation tickets for a fee, because the DMW says its assistance is free. Check flight status with your airline before travelling, and rely on official DMW, DFA and OWWA announcements.
Source: Abante TNT, citing DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
15 October 2026
After a strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said there is no deployment ban on Saudi Arabia. DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the department is coordinating with the DFA and the Department of National Defense on security assessments, according to The Philippine Star (13 October 2026). About 30 OFWs are stranded in Riyadh by cancelled flights, 20 of them in DMW- or OWWA-sponsored hotels; 37 affected OFWs are in the OFW lounges at Manila airport terminals 1 and 3, and 94 workers whose flights were diverted are being housed in Jeddah. Four Filipinos were reported injured, three of them in intensive care. Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Riyadh until 29 November 2026. What to do: if you are travelling to or from Riyadh, check your flight status with your airline before going to the airport, since the airport is temporarily closed, and keep your employer and agency informed. Stranded or affected workers can seek help from the DMW-OWWA 1348 hotline or the nearest Migrant Workers Office. Rely on DMW, DFA and airline announcements rather than social media reports.
Source: The Philippine Star (Rhodina Villanueva), citing the DMW
13 October 2026
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) opened the OFW Global Center–Taipei in the Neihu District on 11 October 2026, according to Focus Taiwan. Located in the same building as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), it is described as the largest OFW service center and the third worldwide after Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. It offers government services and welfare assistance, including OWWA E-Card applications, plus training spaces with planned Mandarin classes, financial literacy, computer and AI training, and entrepreneurship courses, and counseling and social areas. About 191,000 Filipino blue-collar workers were in Taiwan as of end-August, per Taiwan's Ministry of Labor, and over 61,000 live in Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan. OWWA hopes to open similar centers in Taichung and Kaohsiung within two years; feasibility studies are underway. What to do: if you work in Taiwan, check OWWA or MECO channels for opening hours and the services available, and make sure your OWWA membership and E-Card details are up to date.
Source: Focus Taiwan (Central News Agency)
12 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers announced that the minimum allowable wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong rises from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220 per month (about ₱41,667). The new rate applies to all contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026. Contracts signed on or before 2 October and submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department by 30 October 2026 may still use the old wage. The food allowance is unchanged at HK$1,236 a month for employers who give an allowance instead of providing food. The DMW said the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong will strictly implement the new policy. The announcement came alongside DMW data showing that deployment to Hong Kong from January to August 2026 stood at 105,966 workers, 19.41% lower than the 131,488 deployed in the same period of 2025. What to do: if you are signing a new contract or renewing one, check that the stated wage is at least HK$5,220 and that the signing date is on or after 3 October. If your employer offers a lower figure on a contract signed after that date, it risks rejection or delay at Immigration. Ask your agency to show you the contract before you sign it, and contact the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong if you are pressured to accept less.
Source: SunStar (citing the DMW)
10 October 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers has welcomed DOH Circular No. 2026-0566, issued on 5 October 2026, which reiterates the ban on referral and "decking" systems that limit workers' choice of medical clinic, according to The Filipino Times. Applicants must take their pre-employment medical examination at a DOH-accredited or DOH-operated facility of their choice. Clinics or clinic groups may not hold exclusive control over exams for workers bound for particular countries, and applicants may not be required to register at a designated office before being assigned a clinic. Violating facilities may face show-cause orders, cease-and-desist orders, and suspension or revocation of their operating licenses from the DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau. The article notes the directive comes as the Gulf Health Council rolls out WAFID, a digital medical screening system for Gulf-bound workers. Seafarers' exam costs are covered by their principals or shipowners. If a recruiter or agency insists on one specific clinic, or charges excessive fees for your medical, ask for the reason in writing and report it to the DMW before paying.
Source: The Filipino Times (DMW / DOH)
7 October 2026
The DMW opened its MindCare Commitment Wall at its central office on 5 October 2026 as part of National Mental Health Week, formally promoting the SIGLA MindCare Program, according to The Filipino Times. The program offers counseling, psychosocial support, mental health education and professional help, and is open to OFWs, their families and DMW employees, including those struggling with the challenges of reintegration after overseas work. The DMW says it is designed to make mental health support more accessible to migrant workers and their families. The ribbon-cutting involved a returning OFW from Papua New Guinea and an aspiring OFW from Imus, Cavite, alongside DMW staff and the OFW Hospital SIGLA MindCare team. The report did not list contact details, so for now ask the DMW, your nearest Migrant Workers Office (MWO) or the OFW Hospital how to access the service, and use only official DMW channels. Homesickness, long hours, isolation and contract disputes are common pressures for workers across Asia; if you or a co-worker is struggling, speaking to someone early matters. In an emergency, contact local emergency services first and your MWO or embassy afterwards.
Source: The Filipino Times (DMW)
4 October 2026
Philippine and Japanese officials wrapped up three days of bilateral labor consultations on October 1 at the DMW office in Makati City, according to The Filipino Times. The talks, attended by DMW Assistant Secretaries Julyn Ambito-Fermin and Levinson Alcantara and Kentaro Watanabe of Japan's Operations and Planning Office for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) system, focused on helping more Filipinos move from SSW1 to the more advanced SSW2 tier. Both sides also discussed incentives to keep skilled Filipinos working in Japan, monitoring of employment conditions and residency status, and upskilling and lifelong-learning programs. The consultations also looked ahead to the transition to Japan's Employment for Skill Development Program, which begins in April 2027. No new rules were announced, so nothing changes for current workers yet. If you are in Japan or planning to go, keep your SSW documents and skills-test records in order, ask your employer about progression requirements, and verify any recruiter's offer with the DMW before paying fees. Follow DMW and the Migrant Workers Office in Tokyo or Osaka for official updates.
Source: The Filipino Times
3 October 2026
The DMW opened new facilities at the OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga on September 30, including a Tuberculosis Clinic, an Animal Bite Center, an expanded Radiology Department, and new MRI, CT scan, and mammography machines. The hospital has been upgraded from an infirmary to a Level 2 hospital with more than 72 beds for inpatient care. Services are available to OFWs and their dependents, including parents and children, under a zero-billing policy: reportedly no charges for consultations, diagnostic tests, emergency care, or stocked medicines. The hospital served about 154,000 OFWs and dependents in 2025, and a Cancer Care Center is reported to be under construction. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac described the move as a shift from reactive care to proactive protection. For OFWs working in Asia, this is most useful when you are home on leave, between contracts, or when family in the Philippines needs care. Before you travel to the hospital, confirm eligibility and what documents to bring (for example, proof of OFW status or your relationship to the worker) directly with the hospital or the DMW, since requirements were not detailed in the reports.
Source: The Filipino Times / Global Filipino Magazine
2 October 2026
The DMW is coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok and the local Migrant Workers Office to assist around 50 OFWs affected by severe flooding and heavy rains in Thailand. The department is preparing food, water, and financial assistance for those who need it, and is tracking the situation closely as conditions develop. This kind of rapid-response support — food, water, temporary shelter, and transport where needed — is standard DMW/OWWA practice during natural disasters affecting Filipino workers abroad, similar to past relief operations elsewhere. If you or someone you know is in an affected area of Thailand, don't wait for the situation to escalate: register with the nearest Philippine Embassy or Migrant Workers Office (MWO) now so you're on their list for assistance. Keep your OWWA membership and documents up to date — it makes emergency support faster to access when something like this happens.
Source: The Filipino Times / DMW
20 June 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers has begun piloting a new digital 'OFW Pass' via a dedicated mobile app, set to replace the traditional Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). The automated system aims to streamline transactions for Filipino workers across Asia and the Middle East, reducing paperwork and processing times at airports and DMW offices. The initiative is part of a broader push toward full digitalization, including the online PEOS and e-Registration platforms already in use by many OFWs in the region.
Source: DMW Advisory
5 June 2026
The Department of Migrant Workers has launched the inaugural OFW Global Summit, hosted in Manila with the largest delegation coming from Asian host countries. Representatives from Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Middle East attended alongside Philippine agencies to strengthen bilateral labour agreements and improve welfare services for OFWs across the continent.
Source: PNA
3 June 2026
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower announced an increase in the foreign worker levy for Work Permit holders in the services and construction sectors, effective July 2026. The DMW's Migrant Workers Office in Singapore has assured affected OFWs that employers remain responsible for levy payments under the standard employment contract. OFWs experiencing deductions are urged to contact the Philippine Embassy for assistance.
Source: MOM Singapore
1 June 2026
The DMW has officially kicked off Filipino Migrants Month for June 2026. Philippine embassies and consulates across Asia — from Tokyo to Dubai, Singapore to Seoul — will be hosting community events, wellness programmes, and outreach activities throughout the month. Check with your nearest Philippine embassy for local events near you.
Source: PCO
28 May 2026
Hong Kong's Labour Department announced a 5% increase in the Minimum Allowable Wage for foreign domestic workers (FDWs), now set at HKD 4,990 per month. The new rate applies to all new and renewed contracts. The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong welcomed the increase, noting that over 200,000 Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong will benefit. The new food allowance has also risen to HKD 1,236 per month.
Source: HK Labour Dept
22 May 2026
Taiwan's Ministry of Labour announced a 6-month extension of work permits for Filipino caregivers and factory workers, citing labour shortages and the excellent performance of Filipino workers. Over 160,000 Filipinos currently work in Taiwan under blue-collar and white-collar programmes. MECO Taipei confirmed the streamlined processing.
Source: Taiwan MOL
15 May 2026
A total of 55 overseas Filipino workers arrived safely in the Philippines from Dubai, assisted by the DMW's ongoing repatriation programme. The workers were provided with transportation, temporary shelter, and reintegration support upon arrival. The DMW continues to monitor OFW welfare across the Middle East and Asia.
Source: DMW News Release
20 April 2026
Japan's Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) programme has expanded to include three new sectors: aviation, food services, and agriculture. Filipino workers with relevant experience and Japanese language proficiency (N4 level or higher) are encouraged to apply. Over 50,000 Filipinos are expected to benefit from the expansion. The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo has announced additional pre-departure language support.
Source: Japan Immigration
10 April 2026
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has streamlined visa processing for Filipino professionals in healthcare, engineering, and IT. The new Premium Residency visa now includes a dedicated fast-track lane for Philippine-qualified applicants. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the development and urged OFWs to use only accredited recruitment agencies.
Source: Saudi MHRSD
25 March 2026
South Korea and the Philippines signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding on labour cooperation, expanding job opportunities for Filipino workers in Korean manufacturing, agriculture, and shipbuilding. The new agreement includes stronger worker protections, minimum wage guarantees, and improved access to the Korean EPS (Employment Permit System). Over 25,000 Filipinos currently work in South Korea under the EPS programme.
Source: DMW News Release
12 March 2026
The DMW's annual Labour Day job fair featured 3,400 overseas positions across engineering, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, and seafaring. The majority of openings were in Asian destinations — Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Middle East. Twelve licensed recruitment agencies participated.
Source: GMA News
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