DMW Usec. Cacdac, inisa-isa ang naging accomplishments ng DMW noong 2023
DMW Usec. Cacdac, inisa-isa ang naging accomplishments ng DMW noong 2023;
Libo-libong trabaho overseas, inaasahang magbubukas ngayong taon
Libo-libong trabaho overseas, inaasahang magbubukas ngayong taon
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00:00 Updates on government activities and programs for OFWs and other assistance that our countrymen can expect from the Department of Migrant Workers.
00:12 We will talk with the DMW Officer-in-Charge, Hans Leo Kakdak. Good day, sir.
00:19 Good day, Ms. Nina, Ms. Chi, to all of you listeners and viewers. Good day to you as well.
00:28 Yusec, Hans, what can we say about the great accomplishments of the DMW over the past year?
00:36 Well, I will start with a humble bow of gratitude to our beloved Secretary Susan Tuz Ople.
00:51 We were with her for the most part, but of course, we grieved and of course, continued her legacy in line with her passing.
01:06 With Secretary Tuz and her legacy, we had quite a number of notable achievements throughout the year.
01:15 First of all, our systemic emergency responses to help OFWs in need in times of dire crisis.
01:25 On the first day of 2023, we had an airport emergency. I was in Nahia if you remember, there was an airport terminal glitch.
01:36 In partnership with the DOTR and the private sector, we helped more than 7,200 OFWs affected by flight cancellations on the first day of January 1, 2023.
01:49 The flight rebookings, accommodation, food, and other types of assistance that we gave them during that day.
01:57 Then of course, we didn't want to, but there were succeeding disasters and crisis situations where our OFWs were affected.
02:09 The earthquake in Turkey in March, the Sudan civil war in April-May, which is still continuing.
02:18 The Israel-Hamas conflict that started on October 7, we gave more or less repatriation and as well as financial lightning of assistance in a whole of government approach
02:34 directed by the President to more than 1,000 OFWs who were affected by this crisis situation.
02:44 Then of course, the opening of the market in Saudi after a deployment ban,
02:54 also gave way to the restoration of Saudi-Philippine bilateral labor relations.
03:02 It also gave more or less 90,000 OFWs who were sent to Saudi Arabia.
03:12 By and large, the overseas employment of our beloved OFWs returned to pre-pandemic levels and more.
03:22 2.5 million overseas employment certificates and passes were issued by our people, our frontliners on the ground,
03:34 to facilitate the work of our OFWs who decided to return.
03:42 I'm proud to say that the process was fast.
03:46 Aside from the number of overseas employment certificates issued, the process was fast.
03:52 The OECs issued less than one day and the accreditation of foreign employers from a period of around 20 to 30 days was lowered by Secretary Kutz to 7 to 15 days.
04:06 These are just a few.
04:09 We still have illegal recruitment, anti-human trafficking and anti-illegal recruitment efforts,
04:15 companies that were shut down as illegal recruiters and of course, the take down.
04:22 More than 7,000 sites were taken down as illegal recruitment sites on Facebook, in partnership of course with Facebook.
04:31 Among these, Ms. Nina and Ms. Chi, we have given a service to our OFWs.
04:39 Your OFWs Action Fund was in full swing. We spent up to Php 600 million in the disbursement of the Action Fund,
04:48 mainly through direct financial assistance and legal assistance to our OFWs in need.
04:54 Okay. Mr. Kakdak and Ms. Chi, the repatriations programs of the DMWs are different because of the unexpected incidents that you mentioned earlier.
05:03 Is this the total of the repatriations? What is the total overall distress of OFWs that we helped to talk about repatriation last year specifically?
05:15 Okay. That's a good question because what we helped, what I mentioned earlier, were the emergency cases.
05:23 But more than that, the distressed Filipino workers helped up to Php 50,000.
05:32 We helped 50,000 distressed Filipino OFWs.
05:40 In the repatriation effort, more than 15,000 were able to return home.
05:48 We helped them return home jointly of course with the DMW and the OWA and in partnership with the DFA, our embassies all around the world.
05:56 Most of them were through our One Repatriation Command Center, which was also run by Secretary Tuts, which was mentioned in the first SONA of our beloved President.
06:09 This One Repatriation Command Center helps the OFWs' relatives who are coming to us, their loved ones who are having problems abroad,
06:20 their employment is not getting better, the relationship with their employer is not getting better, especially the OFWs who are at home.
06:28 On average, One Repatriation Command Center reunites distressed OFWs with their families here.
06:35 On average, 1,000 distressed OFWs are reunited with their families here given the proper financial and livelihood assistance upon their return.
06:47 Alright, good news. We are getting a lot of help. I know that this is also the mandate of the former Secretary Susan Tuts Ople.
06:57 She is very passionate about your programs and knowing that it's in your hands, you have been there for a long time.
07:06 I'm sure she is happy with what you are doing.
07:09 Sir, when it comes to distressed OFWs, what is the definition of a distressed OFW?
07:20 Are beneficiaries, the long-term beneficiaries, who are assisted by the DMWs, being maintained?
07:31 Distressed OFWs can be assisted while abroad still or upon their return.
07:41 The definition of this is OFWs whose employment abroad did not exceed, they were abused, their contract was violated, they were hurt,
07:54 and they need help, they need medical assistance abroad, accommodation assistance,
08:03 and then of course, the so-called repatriation and upon return livelihood, and employment and training assistance.
08:10 The medical side is also there. We have the DOH and the DSWD. Psychosocial counseling is also part of our package of assistance.
08:21 Then of course, OFWs are also included in the definition of what in crisis situations, natural or man-made disasters, calamities, crises.
08:33 Distressed workers are also included in the definition.
08:38 In our action plan, we expanded it to include the OFW families
08:44 because we know that if an OFW is distressed abroad, his family is also affected.
08:53 Or maybe there are repercussions for the employment of an OFW abroad to his family.
09:00 So if the family here in the Philippines also needs help,
09:05 for example, if a Filipino has an OFW child who was hurt while here, unfortunately,
09:14 he was affected by bad elements, we also help the children of OFWs who are in danger or in an unforeseen situation.
09:29 Yusef, I just wanted to update on our situation in Kuwait.
09:34 How is the lifting of the OFW ban there? Because I remember for a time, we had a ban in Kuwait.
09:45 What we call is the deferment of deployment of OFWs who will be deployed for the first time as OFWs in the house.
09:57 So we stopped this first and then of course, on the Kuwaiti side, there was a suspension of the reception of OFWs,
10:08 new OFWs in all job categories.
10:12 As of now, of course, the case of OFW Jalebi Ranara happened,
10:17 the very unfortunate case where his employer's son, an OFW, killed him.
10:23 And because of this, we want to limit the protection of OFWs.
10:32 We have existing strong, I should say strong bilateral labor relations with Kuwait.
10:37 There is a 2018 agreement that still is in effect and we wish to limit the protection under that agreement.
10:49 In that context, the so-called rights-based approach that Secretary Tules extended,
10:55 we would like to continue the talks with the Kuwaiti side.
11:01 Of course, we are also praying for a fruitful talks.
11:08 We think that the talks in December were good.
11:12 This has not yet resulted in an agreement, formal agreement, but it's a good step toward further discussing
11:19 and hopefully having an agreement with the Kuwaiti side on enhancement of OFWs,
11:25 especially OFW kasambahay or domestic worker protection in Kuwait.
11:31 So as of the moment, let's be clear.
11:35 Usec, is there still a ban on OFWs in Kuwait for the first time?
11:41 Yes, it's still there and what we want is before there is a so-called lifting of the deferment of deployment,
11:53 we hope to discuss the increase of protection.
12:00 I mean to say that the protection that was already included in the existing 2018 bilateral labor agreement with the state of Kuwait.
12:10 Alright. In our discussion, let's go back to illegal recruitment and trafficking.
12:16 This year, what is your plan to intensify our fight against this?
12:23 Yes, we want to intensify the fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
12:30 We wish to crack down on more illegal recruitment activities.
12:35 There are still many establishments that need to be closed to increase the number of establishments that need to be closed.
12:45 Our takedowns on online, social media, and internet of illegal recruitment activities, we will continue this.
12:55 For example, I already gave an example of our 7,200 takedowns of illegal recruitment sites on Facebook.
13:03 And then of course, we will intensify our efforts and campaign on anti-investment scam in partnership with the SEC, Securities and Exchange Commission.
13:16 The SEC is already intensifying its anti-investment scam and of course, we want the DFW to join this fight because many OFWs are victims of anti-investment scam.
13:31 So we want to intensify the information campaign, number one.
13:35 And number two, the remedial measures that we will bring to the justice system,
13:41 the OFWs that are victims of investment scam and illegal recruitment and human trafficking
13:48 so that the salaries of illegal recruiters, human traffickers, and investment scammers will be punished.
13:56 Well, that's good news for our countrymen and for the safety of our OFWs.
14:01 Earlier, we talked about repatriation.
14:05 Now, I'm sure many are still wishing to go abroad this year.
14:09 What are the opportunities abroad that they can apply for and where are these countries?
14:16 Okay, good that you asked that because I need to mention our international cooperation and bilateral cooperation efforts in 2023.
14:29 Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan led the way in terms of bilateral talks and negotiations with a host of countries,
14:41 attaching base with them, constantly engaging them in talks about better protection of OFWs,
14:49 safe and fair labor mobility of those who wish to seek greener pastures abroad.
14:56 That's why we had a bilateral agreement with Austria, for instance,
15:02 and we want to give other opportunities or countries that have labor market demand for OFWs.
15:11 I'm sure we can talk ahead of time to lay down contracts and protections that we need to give them.
15:22 For me, another key feature of this is that our OFWs have alternatives, especially skilled workers in other countries such as Austria.
15:32 I will include Hungary because we know that the demand for OFWs is very robust.
15:38 Six thousand in a one-year span have been sent to Hungary.
15:43 I will just remind our countrymen to be conscious that through legal means, they should go through the DMW process abroad in Hungary or elsewhere.
15:56 We can also see Saudi Arabia for the skilled workers because there is a Saudi Vision 2030,
16:04 which is the goal of having a more thriving economy with several industrial giga cities that will require infrastructure development,
16:16 that will require tourism development, that will require hospitality sector development, and all other types of healthcare.
16:24 Of course, in coordination with DOH, this is healthcare.
16:28 We also have Japan Desks in Japan, the expansion of our hiring program in Japan, skilled workers, well-protected,
16:39 and then we will also have talks in other economies within Asia as well as in Europe and in the Americas.
16:49 Okay, Usec, in other talks, we have a question from our media partner, Ryan Lacanlalin of UNTV.
16:58 How is the 17-Pinoy side of the Houthi or Houthi rebels in the Red Sea?
17:05 Do you have any updates on their liberation?
17:11 Okay, we of course defer to the DFA in terms of the ongoing efforts to talk with foreign governments
17:20 on the safe liberation and return of our beloved crew members on board the Galaxy Leader, which currently is off the coast of Yemen.
17:30 We at the DMW were asked by our President to take care of the families of the 17 seafarers.
17:39 So yesterday, we had a meeting.
17:43 What I want to call this is hand-holding sessions and quality time that we spend with the families virtually or face-to-face
17:54 so we can constantly assure them that the government assistance and protection and support for them continues.
18:06 So we have been hand-holding the families and we know for sure also that there are direct phone calls
18:12 from the seafarers to the families to assure them that they are safe and sound on board.
18:19 We are now in a good situation with our 17 crew members
18:25 and we are proud that the efforts through the DFA are continuing in their safe liberation and return.
18:33 We have another question from Ryan Lacanlale of UNTV.
18:40 Regarding the situation in Japan, how is the situation of our OFWs there?
18:48 Yes. Our efforts to improve the situation are now focused.
18:55 Of course, we set up the Japan help desk since day one, January 1st, since the earthquake.
19:03 We have been receiving calls, although I have to admit that it is not that many
19:09 because for me, this is a continuation of the efficient and proper disaster management efforts of the government in Japan.
19:19 And our labor attaché, in partnership with our embassy, Ambassador Milen Garcia and the DFA also,
19:29 are reaching out, we are continuously reaching out at least to OFWs in two prefectures.
19:36 First is the Toyama Prefecture, next to the Ishikawa Prefecture, where the epicenter of the earthquake is, the Noto region.
19:45 Around 1,194 OFWs, mostly in the construction and manufacturing sectors, are in those two prefectures.
19:56 And they are the ones we are managing the situation.
19:58 Last night, I talked to a group of OFWs and assured them of our support and assistance.
20:04 Financial assistance is forthcoming for those who have been adversely affected by the earthquake.
20:10 For example, if the house was damaged or the house was torn, or the work was stopped,
20:17 or if they need support in terms of food and basic necessities, we will provide this to them.
20:24 We provided hotlines as well as an email address for them to contact us.
20:31 That's good news considering that there are a lot of OFWs in Japan.
20:36 I'm sure they are affected by this earthquake.
20:39 A message to our fellow countrymen, especially to our OFWs, you say Kak Dak?
20:44 Yes, to our beloved OFWs and OFW families, the directive of our President is clear.
20:54 We must ensure the welfare and well-being of our OFWs.
21:01 We must ensure that the families of OFWs are given guidance, protection, support, and assistance.
21:08 And then, of course, our having a whole-of-government approach.
21:16 Our President said that our protection should be comprehensive and inclusive.
21:24 So, there are DOH, DSW, DTFA, DOLE, and TESDA.
21:30 There are also DG Mangudadato.
21:32 We are also thankful to them.
21:35 Our hotline with Administrator Arnel, Ignacio, and the OA
21:40 is 1348.
21:47 Just go to that hotline, +63 to 1348 if you are in another country.
21:54 We will help you in all your efforts.
21:58 Thank you very much.
22:00 God bless.
22:01 Blessed Happy New Year.
22:03 Same to you, Usec.
22:05 Thank you very much for your time.
22:07 This is Usec Hans, Leo Kakdak, OIC of the Department of Migrant Workers.
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