The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to establish a dedicated office in West Africa, a move aimed at strengthening support and protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly those in high-risk industries like oil and maritime work.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed during a Thursday press briefing that he and other officials will embark on a weeklong mission to Nigeria and Liberia beginning August 9. The visit will include meetings with OFW communities and regional labor authorities, as the agency finalizes plans to set up its new office in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
“This is a growing labor market,” Cacdac said, underscoring the importance of ethical recruitment and improved service delivery for Filipinos working in the region.
There are about 6,000 Filipinos in Nigeria and around 150 in Liberia, according to DMW Undersecretary Jainal Rasul Jr. The new office is expected to extend support to OFWs in neighboring countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and Benin.
Currently, assistance for OFWs in the region is channeled through the Philippine Embassy in Abuja. But with the new DMW outpost, Cacdac noted, “the channeling of services would be more efficient—legal, medical, financial, and humanitarian assistance. It’s a direct fund stream straight to West Africa.”
Filipinos in the area are employed in a range of sectors including seafaring, oil, factory work, IT, healthcare, education, and sales. However, many face challenges such as piracy risks and undocumented employment.
The upcoming office in Nigeria will complement the existing DMW hub in North Africa and bring the total number of overseas DMW offices to 43. The agency is also eyeing expansions in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Turkey.
