When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, he made a bold promise: no Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) would be left behind. Nearly three years later, his administration is laying the groundwork for a future in which Filipino workers are not only protected abroad but also given meaningful opportunities to thrive—whether overseas or at home.
In his 2024 Labor Day address at Malacañang, Marcos underscored the urgency of labor diplomacy. He called for stronger bilateral and multilateral ties to ensure “safe and ethical recruitment processes and just and humane conditions” for OFWs. Since then, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has accelerated efforts to turn that vision into reality.
Expanding Global Footprint
The Philippines has signed labor agreements to create safer and more competitive job opportunities for its workers abroad. In 2024 alone, the country secured 53 bilateral labor agreements (BLAs) with key markets such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Croatia. These agreements go beyond mere deployment—they also establish ethical recruitment standards, strengthen worker protection, and ensure fair labor conditions.
Germany has emerged as a key partner, signing two agreements last year to bring in Filipino healthcare professionals and skilled workers. The U.S.-Philippines Labor Working Group, established under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, also held its inaugural meeting to explore pathways for Filipino workers in the United States.
Other major agreements have also opened doors in Denmark, Canada, Austria, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, targeting high-demand sectors such as healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions with Slovenia, Saudi Arabia, and Finland signal further expansion.
“Our goal is not just to send workers abroad but also to ensure that they are employed under fair and dignified conditions,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. “Migration should be a choice, not a necessity.”
Strengthening Worker Protection
Beyond securing employment opportunities, the Marcos administration has intensified efforts to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
The DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) has cracked down on illicit recruitment networks, shutting down 15 illegal establishments and conducting 245 surveillance operations. Social media has become a new battleground. Partnerships with Meta and TikTok have led to the removal of over 98,000 recruitment scam posts across platforms.
Education remains a critical preventive measure. In 2024, the DMW conducted 333 anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking-in-persons (AIRTIP) seminars, reaching nearly 41,000 Filipinos, including prospective OFWs and their families. The department also spearheaded a labor trafficking task force that rescued 791 Filipinos from exploitative conditions in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. For the ninth consecutive year, the United States has recognized the Philippines with a Tier 1 ranking in its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report—an acknowledgment of the country’s sustained fight against human trafficking.
Safety Nets
Recognizing the risks faced by migrant workers, the government has expanded financial assistance programs under the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund. With a growing budget of ₱1.85 billion in 2024, the fund has provided legal, medical, and financial aid to more than 135,000 OFWs, including repatriations from conflict zones such as Israel, Lebanon, and the Red Sea.
For those returning home, the administration has launched a Full-Cycle Reintegration Program to help OFWs transition back into society. This initiative supports career training, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, with the long-term goal of reducing the country’s dependence on labor migration.
“The future we envision is one where Filipinos no longer feel compelled to seek opportunities abroad out of desperation,” Cacdac said. “We want to create real choices for them—both here and overseas.”
At the core of these efforts is the DMW, established in 2021 to centralize and strengthen government support for OFWs. Now fully operational, the department is expanding its Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) worldwide, streamlining processes through digital transformation, and enhancing labor protections through international diplomacy.
Beyond governance, the administration is investing in migrant welfare, with projects such as the OFW Hospital and the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. These initiatives recognize that worker protection extends beyond employment—it also encompasses health, well-being, and long-term security.
As the Philippines moves toward 2025, its strategy for OFWs is clear: proactive labor diplomacy, stronger protection, and a vision that recognizes Filipino workers as more than economic contributors but as integral partners in national development.
For millions of OFWs scattered across the globe, these efforts signal a shift from mere survival to genuine progress—one policy, one partnership, and one worker at a time.
Since taking office, the Marcos administration has remained steadfast in its commitment to OFW welfare. Building upon the initiatives outlined in the 2024 Labor Day address, the government has continued to strengthen labor diplomacy and enhance worker protection.
Advancing Bilateral Labor Agreements
In January 2025, the Philippines and Finland signed a joint declaration of intent to establish a bilateral labor agreement within the year. This agreement aims to ensure safe, ethical, transparent, and sustainable recruitment processes for Filipino workers in Finland.
Additionally, the DMW and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have partnered to provide entrepreneurial training and business support to OFWs and their families. This initiative seeks to facilitate productive reintegration into local communities upon their return to the Philippines.
Expanding Worker Protections
The DMW has also introduced new guidelines under its whitelisting policy, designed to enhance protection for OFWs, particularly those in high-risk sectors. This policy ensures that only recruitment agencies with proven track records are authorized to deploy domestic and other vulnerable workers abroad.
Further strengthening government support, the Senate has approved an ₱8.79 billion budget for the DMW in 2025, underscoring the administration’s commitment to safeguarding OFWs.
Calls for Continuous Improvement
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Recent incidents involving OFWs in Kuwait have prompted lawmakers to call for a review of existing bilateral labor agreements to ensure they effectively protect Filipino workers.
The Marcos administration remains focused on creating an environment where migration is a choice rather than a necessity—ensuring that Filipinos are protected, empowered, and given real opportunities, whether they choose to work overseas or remain in the Philippines.