Institute For Advanced & Strategic Studies on Migration & Development

22/04/2026

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓:

𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫

"𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬"
𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐁. 𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐌. 𝐎𝐧𝐠

"𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚’𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 (𝐓𝐅𝐖𝐏) 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬"
𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐒. 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚

These publications examine key developments shaping labor migration for Filipino workers. The situationer report looks at global and regional demand for Filipino healthcare workers, highlighting workforce trends, shortages, and the factors driving continued international demand.

The policy paper focuses on Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), analyzing how proposed changes may affect employment opportunities for Filipino workers and outlining possible policy responses.

📄 Scan the QR code to access the full documents.

13/04/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃

Watch the video “We Belong Together: Honouring Family Bonds in Migration,” presented by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, and prepared by the Migration Advocacy Division under the Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASMD).

Families belong together.

Migration is not just about movement—it’s about separation, sacrifice, and struggle. Behind every statistic is a family trying to hold on across borders.

10/04/2026

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫

"𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝘀"
(𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗡𝗼. 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟬𝟭)

"𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦𝗗 𝟰𝟬𝟬 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀"
𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕. 𝗢𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗦. 𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘇

These publications examine the adequacy of the current USD 400 minimum wage for Filipino domestic workers and the broader challenges affecting their welfare. Findings highlight the declining real value of wages, gaps in awareness and access to protection mechanisms, and the limits of existing systems in addressing workers’ needs.

Both papers propose policy directions, including a phased increase in the wage floor, strengthened employment standards, and improved monitoring mechanisms to ensure better protection and long-term adequacy for OFWs and their families.

These were presented during the DMW Labor Migration Research and Policy Forum 2025, held on 11–12 December 2025.

📄 Scan the QR codes to access the full documents.

06/04/2026

𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 𝐋𝐢𝐛 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Highlights from the first session of the LIB Without Borders Research Series of the IASMD, held on 18 March 2026 in celebration of National Women’s Month.

The forum brought together researchers, health experts, and migration advocates to discuss gaps in awareness, access, and use of health and social protection programs for Filipino migrant domestic workers.

The discussion focused on how government, civil society, and institutions can work together to strengthen protection for OFWs, especially women in domestic work.

02/04/2026

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗶 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗼 𝗝. 𝗖𝗮𝗰𝗱𝗮𝗰
𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

Ngayong Semana Santa, napapanahon na pagnilayan ang mga mensahe ng pagmamahal at malasakit sa kapwa, sa gitna ng mga hamon na dala ng kaguluhan at panganib at panganib na kinakaharap ng mga OFWs.

Ngayong panahon ng pagninilay, kinikilala at pinapahalagahan ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at buong pamahalaan sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang inyong sakripisyo at pangangailangan bilang aming inspirasyon sa pagbibigay sa inyo ng pag-asa at bagong simula, tulad ng ipinangako ni Hesus sa kanyang Muling Pagkabuhay.

Nawa’y magdulot ang Semana Santa ng lakas, kapayapaan, at pag-asa sa inyong lahat.

Mapagpalang Semana Santa po!

01/04/2026

𝐃𝐌𝐖 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

MANDALUYONG CITY — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASMD), hosted the Project Team on Issues Concerning the Acceptance of Foreign Workers of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) on March 27, 2026, at the PST Hall, 4th Floor, DMW Blas F. Ople Building.

Assistant Secretary Levinson C. Alcantara of the Policy and International Cooperation Cluster welcomed the JFBA delegation and led discussions on the Philippines’ labor migration governance framework, emphasizing the country’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

During the dialogue, DMW officials—including OIC-Director Paul E. Listones, Atty. Tetchie P. Assudo, Atty. Michael Vincent T. Hernandez, Labor Attaché Rodolfo G. Gabasan, and Mr. Aaron Joseph A. Abad—presented key programs and initiatives of the Department. These included measures to combat illegal recruitment, mechanisms for adjudication and dispute resolution, welfare and reintegration services, and protection programs for trafficking victims and other vulnerable migrant workers.

The activity served as a platform for knowledge exchange and strengthened collaboration between the Philippines and Japan in advancing safe, orderly, and rights-based labor migration.

The DMW remains committed to building strategic partnerships with international stakeholders to ensure the protection and well-being of Filipino workers across the globe.

30/03/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃. At the first session of the Lib Without Borders Research Series (IASMD), held on 18 March 2026 at DMW Makati for National Women’s Month, experts highlighted key gaps in awareness, access, and systems literacy among Filipino migrant domestic workers.

The forum brought together researchers, health experts, and migration advocates to explore how stronger collaboration can improve protection for OFWs—especially women in domestic work.

Because real protection isn’t just about policies on paper—it’s about making them work in real life.

25/03/2026

"𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝. 𝙊𝙁𝙒𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢."

This was one of the key messages from the first session of the LIB Without Borders Research Series of the IASMD, held on 18 March 2026 in celebration of National Women’s Month.

Research presented during the forum showed that while many health and social protection programs exist for Filipino migrant domestic workers, gaps remain in awareness, access, and systems literacy. This means some workers may not fully benefit from protections available to them simply because navigating these systems can be difficult.

The discussion brought together researchers, health experts, and migration advocates to examine how government, civil society, and institutions can work together to strengthen protection for OFWs, especially women in domestic work.

Because real protection is not only about policies on paper. It is about whether they work in real life.

If you could improve one thing for OFW domestic workers, what should government focus on first?

A. Better information about programs
B. Easier access to services
C. Stronger protection policies
D. More support networks abroad

Comment your answer (A, B, C, or D) or share your thoughts.

19/03/2026

𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑫𝑴𝑾 𝑯𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒚 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑱𝒐𝒉𝒏𝒔 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔

The Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASMD) of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) warmly welcomed graduate students from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) on March 18, 2026, at the DMW Makati Office.

During the visit, the students were briefed on the DMW’s programs and services for migrant workers, highlighting the Department’s commitment to upholding best practices in the governance and implementation of the Philippines’ labor migration system. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the country’s policies, legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and protection mechanisms designed to safeguard the welfare and rights of migrant workers.

IASMD Director Maria Teresa D. Delos Santos, together with Director Eric C. Dollete of the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau and Chief Maricarl B. Fabian of the Strategic Planning and Management Service, led the briefing with enthusiasm, fostering an engaging and insightful exchange with the visiting students.

18/03/2026

News Release
Department of Migrant Workers
March 19, 2026

𝐃𝐌𝐖 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐅𝐖𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) hosted a discussion on “Integrate to Empower: Intersectional Perspectives on Gender, Health, and Social Security of Filipino Migrant Domestic Workers” on March 18, 2026 at the DMW Makati Office.

Dr. Jocelyn O. Celero of the University of the Philippines Diliman and Dr. Evangeline O. Katigbak-Montoya of De La Salle University presented their study on the inclusion of Filipino migrant domestic workers in health and social security systems.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Estrella Dizon-Anonuevo, Chairperson of Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiative, Inc. and Dr. Servando Sergio Simangan, OFW Hospital Medical Chief, who elaborated on key health issues and concerns of OFWs and explored how research can help address these challenges.

This initiative aimed to strengthen partnerships among government agencies in enhancing the protection and welfare of OFWs through social protection, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. # # #

Also available here: https://dmw.gov.ph/news-releases/news-release-422325







Story by: Hayana Ferreras
Photos by: Reymark Casido

18/03/2026