DMW takes anti-trafficking campaign to provinces

 

DMW joins hands with local officials in Albay in the campaign against human trafficking 

Days before the World Day Against Trafficking was marked on July 30, the Department of Migrant Workers has launched outreach seminars in various provinces to ramp up its campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

DMW organized the activities as part of its commitment to provide a full range of assistance to overseas Filipino victims (OFW) who have fallen prey to trafficking and exploitation and are seeking justice onsite and in the Philippines.

Pindutin para sa detalye

The department has pledged to continue working with member agencies of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), local governments, civil society and private organizations, and with host governments to prevent trafficking, strictly enforce laws prohibiting the recruitment of children for overseas work, and extend help to survivors and their families.

The latest to be visited by DMW officials was Legaspi City, where an anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons campaign seminar was held, alongside Albay PESO (Public Employment Service Office) managers, OFW help desk officers and beneficiaries of the reintegration program for teachers and livelihood assistance program.

MOU signing  in Davao City among various anti-trafficking advocates

Earlier, a similar one-day seminar was held in Davao City with the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau joining hands with OFW advocates, barangay officials, PESO managers and law enforcers in taking the campaign to the grassroots level.

DMW Assistant Secretary Francis Ron De Guzman who led the activity thanked the department’s social partners for their firm commitment to combatting illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

The provincial government of Davao Occidental took the campaign a step farther by setting up OFW Help Desks in the province to provide immediate and comprehensive assistance to OFWs and their families.

Basahin ang detalye!

Through this effort, OFWs will be helped throughout their journey, from pre-employment seminars, to quick response to requests for assistance while onsite, up to their safe return and reintegration.

Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the DMW partnership with the local government is geared towards empowering OFWs and their families, so the OFWs are not only protected against illegal recruiters and syndicates, but will be given immediate services when necessary.

The memorandum of agreement between the two agencies provides for pre-employment seminars to safeguard OFWs from unscrupulous recruiters and syndicates. The related activities include public information drives and workers education sessions on overseas employment, covering its potential benefits, potential risks, and legal channels for working abroad to avoid illegal recruitment.

Other government agencies like the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in cooperation with the LGUs, have committed to providing full-cycle reintegration interventions and support to OFWs and their families.

These reintegration interventions include livelihood assistance and skills enhancement trainings for OFWs, enabling them to explore other employment opportunities if they choose to continue their labor journey in the Philippines.

Davao Occidental Governor Franklin Bautista, meanwhile, urged his constituents to support the push to empower and protect all the OFWs in the province.

Five municipalities in Davao Occidental including Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Santa Maria, and Sarangani also signed the agreement with the DMW to signify their commitment to empowering Filipino migrant workers.

Also part of the anti-illegal recruitment campaign is the OFW Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Caravan which aims to strengthen collaboration between the DMW and local government units in protecting migrant workers.

Around 150 OFWs and their families, as well  as PESO managers and members of the Philippine National Police joined the second round of the campaign held in Tarlac province.

DMW’s nationwide drive to combat trafficking and exploitation came in the wake of complaints that illegal recruiters had partnered with LGUs and PESO officials in luring Filipinos all over the country to apply for non-existent jobs abroad. 

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