The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Friday that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East have not yet experienced significant job losses despite the escalating conflict in the region, although officials cautioned that remittances could be affected if the crisis continues.
Jainal Rasul Jr., Migrant Workers Undersecretary, said authorities are closely monitoring the situation as tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran raise concerns about the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos working in the Gulf region.
The conflict intensified after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iranian targets, fueling fears of a broader regional confrontation and prompting the Philippine government to review contingency plans for OFWs.
Speaking in an television interview, Rasul said the government has not yet observed widespread employment displacement among Filipino workers abroad.
“Right now, we’re not seeing any job displacement because of the conflict,” Rasul said.
He added that about 1,400 Filipinos have already returned to the Philippines, though most had simply completed their employment contracts rather than being forced to leave due to the conflict.
“Those who have been repatriated, they’re mostly finished contract,” Rasul explained.
According to government data, OFW remittances reached around $32 billion last year, with a substantial share coming from workers based in the Middle East.
These funds remain a crucial lifeline for millions of Filipino households.
Rasul said the government continues to monitor developments, warning that prolonged hostilities could eventually disrupt employment opportunities and remittance flows if the conflict leads to broader economic impacts in the region.