DMW to put illegal recruiters out of business – senator

MANILA, Philippines — The creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will put illegal recruiters and fixers out of business, Sen. Joel Villanueva said yesterday.

Villanueva, principal sponsor and author of Republic Act 11461, said the law was crafted to eliminate the “nooks and crannies” where illegal recruiters thrive to victimize overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking to provide a decent life for their families.

He said the new department would also create a blacklist of persons and agencies involved in human trafficking to put illegal recruiters out of business.

“There will be one entry and exit for all transactions to speed up processing for OFWs. All relevant government agencies are now under one roof for faster delivery of service,” he added.

Villanueva, who chairs the Senate labor committee, said prospective OFWs from the provinces need not go to Metro Manila to process their travel papers or seek assistance as there would be operational regional offices for the DMW serving as one-stop shop centers for workers headed overseas.

RA 11461 also “provides clear parameters for ethical recruitment, which is the lawful hiring of workers in a transparent manner that respects their dignity and human rights to protect OFWs from abuses and exploitation,” he said.

Critics of the measure have said it merely padded the bureaucracy at a time when the country is in dire need of funds, when the Department of Labor and Employment could handle the same tasks.