The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has taken a proactive step by issuing an advisory for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) planning to work in Canada. The move comes in response to reports of unauthorized recruitment fees charged to Filipino workers headed for Canada.
During a media conference, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac highlighted the necessity of Advisory No. 9 (series of 2024), stating, “The problem is some of our OFWs deal with recruiters who are not licensed by the DMW. They charge exorbitant fees.”
Cacdac emphasized the advisory’s purpose, saying, “We issued the DMW Advisory No. 9 to curb illegal recruitment and trafficking of persons.” He revealed that in recent months, two Canadian immigration consultancies without DMW licenses were shut down for recruiting workers for Canada.
Furthermore, the advisory aims to monitor OFWs’ well-being and provide social protection in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Under the advisory, OFWs bound for Canada under specific programs must undergo contract verification and documentary processing by the DMW. These programs include the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) and Canada’s Open Work Permit under various categories.
However, certain individuals, such as spouses or common-law partners of principal foreign nationals, are exempt from DMW verification.
The advisory also outlines requirements for OFWs returning to the Philippines unemployed, stating, “In case the said open work permit holders are still unemployed in Canada upon their return to the Philippines, an Affidavit of Support or any document consistent with the requirements by the Bureau of Immigration must be presented.”