The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) is the overseas operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the primary agency that handles overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their various concerns. Currently, there are 39 MWOs around the world, including MWO Oman, which caters to OFWs who are working in the Sultanate.
Prior to the creation of the DMW, there were different agencies for OFWs, such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), etc. Fortunately, all of these agencies and their functions have been combined into the DMW, making things easier for OFWs and their families.
What is the Migrant Workers Office?
As stated earlier, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) is the overseas operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which was created in 2022 through Republic Act No. 11641. In Oman, the MWO is responsible for protecting the rights, welfare, and interests of the Filipinos who are living and working in the Sultanate.
Functions and Responsibilities
The functions and responsibilities of MWO Oman are as follows:
- To ensure the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interests of OFWs, assisting them with all problems related to employer-employee relationships;
- To promote and implement the DMW’s overseas employment program, which goes in line with the overall policy thrust of the Philippine government;
- To verify employment contracts and other employment-related documents;
- To monitor and report to the DMW Home Office situations and policy developments in Oman that may affect Filipino migrant workers and Philippine labor policies;
- To supervise and coordinate the operations of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC);
- To pursue a needs-based community development and relations program, and engaging in socio-cultural activities organized by the Philippine government, Oman government, Filipino communities, and other entities; and
- To perform other functions that may be assigned by the Secretary of Migrant Workers.
Programs and Services
Among the programs and services provided by MWO Oman are accreditation of employers, employment contract verification, welfare services, and more:
Accreditation of Employers
The MWO is responsible for making sure that the foreign employers or principals that plan to hire OFWs are legitimate and reputable, with verified documents that are recognized by labor authorities of the Philippines and Oman. This helps to ensure that job applicants would not become victims of human trafficking or get scammed by “fake” or illegal recruiters.
Employment Contract Verification
Similarly, the MWO needs to make sure that the job contracts of OFWs are consistent with the labor laws and policies in the Philippines and Oman. This involves the checking and verification of documents provided by the company and the prospective employee.
SSS Services
The Social Security System (SSS) is an attached agency of the MWO. It is a state-run social insurance program that offers many benefits: maternity benefit, sickness benefit, disability benefit, unemployment benefit, retirement benefit (pension), and more. In addition, in times of calamity of natural disaster, members can apply for a calamity loan, as well.
Pag-IBIG Fund Services
Also known as the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), the Pag-IBIG Fund is another state-run agency; it offers affordable housing loans and savings programs to its members. As part of the Philippine Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Pag-IBIG’s programs include the Pag-IBIG 1 Savings Program, Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings Program, Housing Loan, Multi-Purpose Loan, Calamity Loan, etc.
Overseas Employment Certificate
The MWO facilitates the issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs), which function as a “travel exit clearance” for newly-hired as well as returning OFWs (Balik Manggagawa). When an OFW is about the leave the Philippines, he/she presents the OEC to immigration officers at the airport. With this document, OFWs are exempted from paying travel tax and terminal fees.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is an attached agency of the DMW. Notably, this agency is involved in all stages of an OFW’s journey, from pre-departure to arrival in the host country, up to their return and reintegration in the Philippines.
Prior to leaving the Philippines, OFWs need to attend pre-departure orientations conducted by OWWA, along with basic language and cultural training (if applicable). In Oman, the OWWA provides various services to OFWs here. When it’s time for the OFW to return to the Philippines, the OWWA provides livelihood training and other reintegration services to facilitate a “smooth” return.
Moreover, as OWWA members, OFWs can avail of several benefits, such as disability, dismemberment, death, and burial benefits.
Video: PH Embassy, MWO Oman Conduct Outreach Activities
Last May 2024, the Philippine Embassy, in coordination with MWO Oman, held a Consular Outreach and Assistance to Nationals (ATN) activity in Buraimi and Sohar. Through this activity, OFWs in these areas were able to access many services, including: passport application/renewal, civil registry and notarial services, OWWA membership registration/renewal, contract verification, OEC, NBI application, and many more.
Around 173 Filipino nationals came and benefited from the various services. Check out the following video of the said event, as featured on the Philippine Embassy in Oman Facebook page:
Contact Information: MWO Oman
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the MWO and its services, you can get in touch with the office through the following contact details. Its location on Google Maps is also presented, for your reference:
Address: Building 4063, Way 3050, Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Telephone: +968 93557931 / +96824605171
Email: mwo_oman@dmw.gov.ph / polomuscat@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POLOmuscat
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
Like other countries in the Middle East, Oman has an active and growing Filipino community. Thanks to the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in the Sultanate, our kababayans here can easily access various services and receive assistance in their times of need!
Meanwhile, it’s important for OFWs to know the labor policies and standards of their host country. Visit this link to learn more about the Oman Labor Law, specifically its rules on leaves, working hours, duties, and other related matters.