The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has ordered private recruitment agencies to temporarily suspend the deployment of Filipino workers to Middle Eastern countries affected by ongoing regional conflict, citing safety concerns.
In Advisory No. 19, the DMW reiterated existing restrictions on sending overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. The move comes amid heightened security risks and continued airspace disruptions in the region.
“Right now, we’re on Alert Level 2 in Israel, which means new hires are prohibited but those returning are allowed,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac explained. “However, due to the airspace restrictions, it is impossible for them to go.”
Cacdac stressed that returning workers to Israel and Jordan are unable to proceed with travel, as flights have been blocked due to closed airspace. Meanwhile, Lebanon remains under Alert Level 3, which enforces a total deployment ban.
In a stern warning to agencies, Cacdac said, “Any agency that continues deployment despite the directive will face penalties. And yes, we will go after them for the cost of travel if we are the ones paying for the return trip.”
As of June 19, the DMW has assisted 58 stranded OFWs—43 bound for Israel and 15 for Jordan—through its Migrant Workers Offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The advisory also outlines new obligations for recruitment agencies, including regular welfare checks, emergency repatriation planning, coordination with foreign employers, and financial responsibility for rebooking or rerouting affected workers.
Recruitment firms have been told to halt all processing of new deployments to Jordan and Israel until the department officially lifts the restrictions.
