Voluntary pullbacks by overseas Filipino workers are driving a significant decline in deployment figures to the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers confirmed Wednesday.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said workers themselves are increasingly choosing not to proceed with their contracts as conditions in the region deteriorate. “Merong ulat na mga hindi natutuloy at ito nga talaga ‘yung talagang ‘di hamak na bumaba talaga ang deployment dahil nagkakaroon na rin ang kapasyahan ng mga OFWs natin na huwag tumuloy,” he told GMA News’ Unang Balita.
Flight cancellations and safety concerns have compounded the slowdown, particularly across sectors including hospitality, transportation, construction, and event management.
Cacdac also pushed back on circulating reports that placed the number of stranded OFWs at 40,000, saying those figures may not accurately reflect ground conditions and appeared to originate from recruitment agency data rather than verified government sources.
Since the unrest began, DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have maintained assistance operations at airports for affected workers. Services being extended include financial aid, temporary shelter, transportation support, and assistance in traveling back to home provinces.
The government has also activated job fairs and livelihood programs in coordination with local government units and other agencies to support workers who have returned or lost employment.
Despite the instability across the region, Cacdac stressed that no total deployment ban is currently in force. His advisory to workers already in the Middle East remains: “Nagbibigay lang tayo ng advisory to stay where you are. Wala namang ‘stranded’ sa sariling bayan.”
