The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced a significant increase in the issuance of overseas employment certificates (OECs) for the year 2023. According to the latest data, there has been a 17% rise in OEC issuances compared to 2022.
DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac, during a recent press conference, revealed the numbers highlighting the growth. The statistics showed a rise in both sea-based and land-based sectors. Specifically, the sea-based sector saw an increase from 554,000 OECs in 2022 to 608,000 in 2023, marking a first in the department’s history to issue such a high number for this sector. Similarly, land-based OECs also rose from 411,000 in the previous year to 491,000.
Cacdac attributed this increase to the global economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. As countries open up and industries rebound, there has been a heightened demand for overseas workers.
In a related financial context, the DMW highlighted the impact of this increase on the economy. Citing World Bank estimates, the department noted that Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) remittances reached around $40 billion in 2023, a substantial rise from $32 billion in 2022.
Furthermore, the DMW reported on its humanitarian efforts in assisting victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment. In 2023, the department aided 382 victims of human trafficking across Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, and 372 victims of illegal recruitment in Italy.
In light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the Sudan civil war, the DMW has also been actively involved in the repatriation of OFWs. A total of 555 OFWs were repatriated from Israel, while another 700 were brought back from Sudan, ensuring their safety amidst the conflicts.
The DMW anticipates that the number of OEC issuances will continue to grow, potentially setting new records in the coming years.