Repatriating Filipino Migrant Workers in the Time of the Pandemic

MIGRATION RESEARCH SERIES

No. 63

Repatriating Filipino migrant workers in the time of the pandemic

Maruja M.B. Asis Scalabrini Migration Center The opinions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the report do not imply expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IOM concerning legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries.

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PUB2020/073/L Repatriating Filipino migrant workers in the time of the pandemic

Maruja M.B. Asis Scalabrini Migration Center 2 MIGRATION RESEARCH SERIES | NO. 63 noting the challenges encountered and highlighting emerging good practices. encountered challenges noting the highlightingemerginggoodpractices. and provides repatriation ofthe overview an ofOFWs current underthis continuingpandemic, and country. the needs outside of Filipino to the nationals This of attending paper daunting challenge or 10 million accordingAffairs, the Philippine Government to the Philippines is – the faced with Social ofEconomicand UnitedNationsDepartment ofthe according estimate stock tothe numbersofoverseas oflarge Given distribution Filipinos the throughout world the –5.4million, crisis. even and political social, ahumanitarian economic, an butisalso crisis, ahealth is notjust economy, global in the employment overseas athomeand The prospects are pandemic bleak. With situations. orOFWs downturn the intostranded displacements, beingthrust job losses, were previous None of these or limited. resulted impacts crises the contained health in massive – MERS-CoV OFWsAlthough Ebola, have –SARS, beenexposedtoseveral past epidemicsinthe situations. to crisis aframework2013). Thus, informed inresponding by established Philippineshas the experience, transfer the facilitating of OFWs and arrivals, originprovinces to their needs of OFW the (Asis, torespondoperating ahotline toqueriesfrom families ofOFWs, coordinating responding and to homefront, Onthe OWWA to Filipino migrants. for leadagency repatriation isthe efforts, ofPhilippineforeign missionsinproviding partners information support extending and important 2015). Through(DOLE, Filipino communities proved emergencies, and crises various the to be willsafeguard that plan contingency imminentdanger” overseas other and ofcrises Filipinos incase toMigrantProviding Assistance The Workers toprovide aims Filipinos. manual andOverseas a“unified Employment (POEA) OWWA, developed and Administration Joint Manual of Operations the in Employment, Welfare Social well PhilippineOverseas the Development, and as as Health, and ofForeignand Labor Affairs, Departments 28).In2015,the respond situations(Section tocrisis Team OneCountry the to incoordinating lead, the as efforts Approach, ambassador the with repatriationthe ofOFWs. The consulatestoadopt and law Philippineembassies mandates also Overseasdesignation ofthe Workers Welfare (OWWA) Administration in leadagency the as provides for repatriation the repatriation of OFWs, of emergency the funds, and allocation the law 15ofthe by amended No.8042,as (Republic No.10022in2010).Section Republic Act Act the Migrant codifiedin to OFWs further was of1995 Workersand Overseas Filipinos Act repatriation and assistance The ifneeded. repatriated ofsupport extension Philippines, tothe have beenrequired how outlining plan OFWs tosubmitacontingency willbeprotectedand OFWs foreign Sincethen, to assist situations. incrisis employers employing companies and OFWs The GulfWar PhilippineGovernment the needtodevelop ofthe experiencealerted aresponse COVID-19 occurred. 2013), until (Asis, the Philippineshad undertaken that massive effort such and most first the OFWs repatriation the and tosafety 1990–1991GulfWar to30,000duringthe ofclose was repatriate ifneeded, toprotectand, plans OFWs.craft action The and policies evacuation of orregionscountries where OFWs are present have prompted PhilippineGovernment the to scares and health indestination disasters economicdownturns, natural to return Conflicts, home. employment, interruptedtheir that or another endangered lives their forced and someofthem generations of overseas 1970s, Since the Filipino workers (OFWs) have faced one form of crisis century. 21st ofthe challenges and opportunities global important most Migration isoneofthe Introduction Repatriating Filipino migrant workers in the time of the pandemic 3 Repatriation challenges Repatriation to the Philippines, whom 17,419 of As had returned June 2020, a total of 7 OFWs of 55,859 By 23 June, 2020). the numbers had sea-based (OneNews, land-based and were 38,440 were weeks than 59,000, with anotherin the 42,000 expected following climbedmore to return to in theseland-basedweeks, coming than more sea-basedworkers (Ramos,2020). Moreover, among land-based workers outnumbered sea-based workers home. Previously, will be returning working on cruise ships. reflecting Laborthe displacement of OFWs Secretary OFWs, repatriated by the pandemic, but close been affected have III reported Bello that 343,551 OFWs Silvestre once the are they where employment hoping to find overseas, opting to remain to 200,000 are (Ramos, 2020). situation improves started of OFWs repatriation The with of 30 persons thearrival on 10 February of a group (Philippine China, of COVID-19 the epicentre Hubei Province, Wuhan, from an infant) (including In the 2020). same month, cruise two batches than totalling 800 repatriated News Agency, more Athletes’ accommodated in the were repatriates first batches of The ship personnel followed. quarantine. 14-day the required for in Capas, Tarlac Village bans and strict April. Travel around until slowly increased OFWs repatriated of number The stalledglobal health efforts protocols OFWs who want migration and made repatriation difficult. migration and health to the Philippines must clearances. limited availability secure of to return The process. repatriation the delayed have international flight flights cancellations and the numerous home must comply upon arrival able the in to return Philippines with who are OFWs Repatriated and reluctanta sometimes theirwelcome to provinces, home testing,travel quarantine, onward their local communities.by While As and anxiety of OFWs. the number of arrivals so did the increased, problems levels had lost their jobs, they also OFWs included those whose contracts of the repatriated many had vacation,a home for staying andshelters in those returning were who workers ended, distressed home. those In addition to as arrivingas on international those who had opted to return well 21 April. from in Manila Bay allowed were cruise ships withpersonnel Filipino flights,foreign 21 to allowed andquarantine theircompleted had 14-day testedwho were negative workers Filipino housed in hotels and other accredited air were by who returned land. Other sea-based workers provided OWWA, through manning agencies. Government, The by provided accommodation testing, had to shoulder packsfree Non-OFWs accommodation, food and monitoring to OFWs. all the costs attendant while under quarantine. and board to testingand room of the their the turn to be tested, results spent a lot of time waiting – for for OFWs Repatriated test,gatherto all thetheir to necessary families, and them to return allow documents thatwould to their home communities. Due to lack of capacityto be able to travel to test arriving OFWs, had to close theinternational airportto catch up the Government a week in May in Manila for those who even in the country, with the testing. the suspension of land, air andtravel sea With and had completed their quarantine results period could not return their negative had received stuck who had been long period of a in Manila for OFWs to their Complaints hometowns. by ultimatum stating a one-week issued the President Duterte. President time reached On 25 May, in Manila at the time must who remained be transportedthat all 24,000 OFWs to their home thattold deny not could they were units (LGUs) local government communities. Moreover, of OFWs the return had barred Philippines, 2020). Some LGUs (CNN entry OFWs to returning During this time, the country’s carriers might be theof coronavirus. thatthat OFWs fear for as sadly stigmatized virus. potential carriers of the dreaded were heroes” “modern-day 4 MIGRATION RESEARCH SERIES | NO. 63 is ingreat flux. forin planning future These willhave estimates arrivals. tobeupdatedinlightofasituationthat onhowData many OFWs toberepatriated are would comingmonths inthe expected behelpful tobeaddressed phase untimelyreturn inthis critical next programmes, the ofOFWs. later)possible recontact would for behelpful development the to collect ofreintegration (forreasons for details repatriation; OWWA ofcontact sharing voluntary membership;and homeprovince/city OFWs towhich genderdistribution; as: such are returning; details, important workers they are orsea-based whether and land-based (see, Help). for OFW example, Some To information date, repatriated on the OFWs have numbers that limited to the is mostly arrived do notallow totravel them Philippines. tothe back travel or because replacements their because Philippines, either arein the restrictions stranded supposed toreturn homeafter beingatseafor –are 10months forced tocontinueworking, loss of employment. seafarers hand, other On the merchant on international vessels – who are ofemployment. countries to their For towork delay back the some, couldmean inreporting back offlights availability Philippinespendingthe inthe inaddition,theycouldbestranded and OFWs were hometemporarily whocame upby caught also requirements, quarantine various the round another and of 14-day self-quarantine once theyarein Manila, communities. in their back in particular, have – while they were undergone seemingly endless quarantine upon arrival at sea, requirements of quarantine The to OFWs. anguish much workers, caused impact Sea-based has distancing. social over Those negative have whotested and still transmissions. homequarantine local toobserve OFWs whowere cleared positive hadtested for COVID-19 concerns were uponarrival, raised some When newsthat individuals. return the atfacilitating isaimed stranded oflocally latter the home provinces inorder Metro tospurregional todecongest and Manila development, while government Thelocal former units. toreturn programme toencouragemigrants aims totheir Province) HatidProbinsiya and the Province), to (SendOff the addedto which responsibilities of provinces government other two with coincided also Probinsiya programmes, Balik to the (Back OFWs returnof they hadsufficient them. toaccommodate hasty facilities The theirhome to remarked, they were return the notblocking ofOFWs; rather, tobesure theywanted that informed ofOFWs arrival the about several executives respective chief intheir As local areas. President’sthe ultimatumtosendcleared OFWs someLGUs aweek, homewithin were not onwardthe repatriation from homecommunitiesofOFWs. tothe Manila rushtomeet Inthe The need for coordination government local and national between directives highlighted in was in Manila. Local Government. OWWA OFWs ofthe food hoteland shouldersthe costs stay duringtheir Interiorand of the Department the and ofHealth Guard, Department the Philippine Coast OWWA arrivals, needsofthe various the coordinates Police, PhilippineNational the with the OWWAPhilippines. OFWs pictureoncethe comesintothe To arrive Philippines. inthe meet ofForeigntransferthe the helmin at Affairs ofOFWsDepartment was from overseasthe to for ofMigrant the designated agency repatriation, of Affairs Office the theUndersecretary for Although process the comprisesgovernment time, this OWWA mostly iscurrently efforts. the but torepatriations contributed government past, inthe organizations International entities. government between and non- approach, but awhole-of-nation hingesonjointefforts which Unlike previous current repatriations, the oneinvolves awhole-of-government notjust approach, Repatriating Filipino migrant workers in the time of the pandemic 5 OWWA launched OWWA Quarantine Operations, a Facebook page “dedicated Quarantine page “dedicated Operations, a Facebook launched OWWA OWWA assistance queries and provide to displaced and affected to answer Overseas page also features This pandemic.” due to the COVID-19 (OFWs) Workers Filipino support psychosocial on updates and organizations and information providing ). OWWA www.facebook.com/OWWAQuarantineOps/ health-care queries (see http://uwianna.owwa.gov.phalso put up the website ” means (“uwian na going home) transportationto fast-track arrangements and facilitate the transportation needs of to to their have intended destinations in the Philippines. in returning OFWs OFWs online. register in the (OUMWA) Affairs Workers Office of the UndersecretaryThe for Migrant Facebook page OFW hasDepartment Affairs used the Help, launched of Foreign a page aims to provide in distress. The out to OFWs in September 2019, to reach emergency on calls for and vice versa out to OUMWA to reach OFWs for platform assistance, labour claims. and is not intended for During the pandemic, the page has In addition, it has organized been repatriated. who have OFWs updates on provided updates on the conditions of Hall meetings featuring online OFWseveral Town as embassies Philippine reportedOFWs, and consulates and community Filipino by www.facebook.com/pg/OFWHelpPH/leaders (see ). Recruitment andRecruitment manning agencies as partners of OFWs in the repatriation The use of online and social media to provide information and information support use of online andThe social to media to provide OFWs repatriated

– – Every year, some 90 per cent of legally deployed OFWs go through licensed private go through OFWs some 90 per cent of legally deployed Every year, and deploying those recruiting or manning agencies for agencies (PRAs) recruitment Under the systemsea-based agency of workers. PRAs hiring, and accredited manning this but comes with employment, overseas for Filipinos to recruit allowed agenciesare Among others,responsibilities. PRAs the and manning agencies bear for responsibility and their monitor to are conditions while they deployed OFWS of repatriation have they Act Act Republic No. 10022, “the to Republic as No. 8042, amended by onsite. According and the transport personal belongings shall be the of the worker repatriation of his [her] overseas” the worker primary of the responsibility agency or deployed which recruited (Sec. 15). Administration issued Memorandum Employment the Philippine Overseas On 26 March, agencies Philippine recruitment that “all No. 08, Series of 2020 with the reminder Circular to closely monitor and required hereby are and licensed manning agencies (LMAs) (PRAs) with and to coordinate workers Filipino report the status deployed and condition of your Laborthe Overseas concerned Philippine Office in extending the needed assistance to the assistance to provide hired to newly required also were The agencies workers.” affected stranded Manila becauseof the enhanced in Metro who were and joining crew OFWs community as of 16 March. quarantine that was enforced Particularly in the immediate period following their return to the Philippines, their online and return Particularly in the immediate period following updates on arrivals agencies provide which Government the means by social are platforms they can access support. as to where OFWs to repatriated information and also in relaying 1. 2. Emerging good practicesEmerging spots some bright in the handling are the of there problems, and many Amid the confusion Examples the following: of OFWs. are repatriation 6 MIGRATION RESEARCH SERIES | NO. 63 at home in the hoped-forat homeinthe post-pandemic world. of OFWs, willrequire approach tohelpOFWs awhole-of-society families their and build alife reintegration the The themselves. phase, next migrants the and academia, organizations, society work the butisalso Government ofvarious privatesector,migration agencies, the agencies, civil toOFWs responsibility of underscores isnotonlythe also pandemic support this that fact the proficient ordoesnothave accesstoinformation technology. The ofOFWsrepatriation under other, onthe worrying but also whenwe populationofOFWs considerthe isnotInternet- that for OFWs. This services and ispromising onehand, onthe well accesstosomesupport as as providedInternet has possibilitiesfor government between communication OFWs, and agencies reach and the Government ofthe beenrestricted, capacity While the has toprovide assistance institutions? affecting and support funding elsewhere? situationapply same the pandemic’s the bebecause Couldthis also isglobal, impact they havevisible role Does as prominent inrepatriation notbeen the current in efforts, efforts. played requiredthat organizations international a past, everyone Whileinthe inplace. tostay harm’s face toaccomplishinthe way oftravel noteasy protocols health was and restrictions posed by enormous challenges and COVID-19. OFWs The ofgetting principle out of basic preparations these were past, situations in the to crisis in relation lacking unprecedented to the have guidelinesthat and goodpractices helped itrespond established Philippineshas the Although Conclusion 3. on repatriated OFWs level. local atthe government This local and agencies require willalso units. useofdata and collection the discussions will require the phase, critical In this more national the between dialogue 2020).The arena challenging reintegration (IOM, for next willbethe Philippines. phase the for OWWA Organization MigrationPhilippinesand International the discussion between onrepatriated OFWs relevant initiative tocollect statistics aims data that Another isunder 2020). (DOLE, through http://oasis.owwa.gov.ph pick-up OFWs transfer and hotels. to their will have to fill outa form to online register rapid and OFWs, testing arriving swab efficient facilitate and classify and DOLE identify appropriate toOFWs government whohave OASIS willhelp assistance jobs. their lost toprovide isexpected system developed tracking the by OWWA DOLE, POEA, and hugenumberofreturning tothe OFWs.” repatriation,smooth assistance and Jointly orderly an Information and System), to“facilitate aims that Assistance system atracking Employment OASISand launched (OFW (DOLE) of Labor Department the of 11 June, As therefore for becomeagrievance mechanism also OFWs. by netizens other further orare picked These upby platforms have media. traditional OFWs are problems which disseminated then mediatoreport concerns, and usesocial also Data collection Data Repatriating Filipino migrant workers in the time of the pandemic 7 , Inquirer . 11 June. . 19 August. . 11 June. . 1 June. Tracking system on for returning OFWs returning system on for Tracking impact: in OFW DOLE sees 40% drop COVID-19 remittances 2020. for 24 June. Quarantine situation at ports-of-entry in Manila. Situation Report (25 May–3 No. 2 June 2020). suggestedabroad back in Phl; retraining, reskilling instead than 55,000 OFWs More of going home . 7 February. repatriation for in China prepare OFWs Baldoz reiterates DOLE’s adherence to ‘one country to better to ‘one assist team approach’ adherence DOLE’s reiterates Baldoz during crises Filipinos overseas Gender runs through it: Displacement and repatriation of Filipino migrant workers migrant of Filipino workers it: Displacement and repatriation through Gender runs at the 27thIUSSP International Population presented and Syria. Paper Libya from 26–31 August. of Korea, Busan, Republic Conference, must Filipinos undergo quarantine revertsaccredited in All returning guidelines: PCG facilities

2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2015 2013 2020 Ramos, C.M. International Migration (IOM) Organization for OneNews Philippine News Agency (PNA) Republic of the Philippines, DepartmentRepublic of Labor (DOLE) andEmployment References Asis, M.M.B. CNN Philippines Also available online at http://publications.iom.int/

Maruja M.B. Asis is Executive Director of the Scalabrini Migration Center, based in Manila, Philippines. She is a sociologist who has long been working on international migration and social change in Asia. Her areas of interest and research work include gender, family and migration; migration and development; and migration governance. Her recently completed research dealt with comparing recruitment systems and their impact on migration governance, bilateral relations and migrant worker protection; migrant fishermen in South-East Asia; and exploring agriculture as an alternative to migration among young Filipinos. She is a member of IOM’s Migration Research and Publishing High-Level Advisers and editor of the Asian and Pacific Migration Journal.

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