By: Manny A. Lector
Missio Amare Migranti
July 5, 2025

Global conflicts adversely affect OFWs and their families; their escalation creates crisis situations in their lives, which the Philippine government often struggles to address. This was witnessed in the recent Israel–Iran war. At the moment, the tentative cease‑fire between the two appears to be holding after the devastating exchanges of guided missiles and the United States’ quick, massive bombing of Iran’s strategic war sites, including its nuclear facilities. There now seems to be an uneasy peace between the two countries and around the region. Analysts and experts on the Israel–Iran situation hold diverse opinions about what is foreseeable for the two countries and the region.

However, the effects on OFWs and their families in the two countries—especially those in areas that bore the brunt of the missile exchanges—were distressing. While no casualties were reported, there were several injuries. In Israel, some OFWs had to evacuate, and a number chose to return home to the Philippines. The OWWA quickly aided and facilitated repatriation. Financial aid was also given to those who were repatriated. They would, however, eventually face the more challenging prospect of where their next job would be.

Some statistics (source: Rappler, June 24, 2025): at least 200 Filipinos in Israel have requested repatriation and are going home in batches. One batch of around 30 (from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar) flew home along with Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac. There are about 30,000 OFWs in Israel and only around 30 in Iran.

Still, most OFWs in and around these countries would rather stay on. For them, the fear of losing stable employment outweighs safety concerns. “They don’t want to leave their work,” said Patricia Yvonne Caunan, head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) (Philstar, June 25, 2025).

Undocumented OFWs

Undocumented OFWs are Filipinos working overseas without the necessary contract of employment processed through the Department of Migrant Workers. Many of them have travelled abroad as tourists and later found employment in the countries where they eventually settled. Some may have lost jobs that were initially legally processed, decided to stay overseas, and found work that was no longer cleared by the Philippine government. The problem with undocumented OFWs is that they are not monitored and usually fail to obtain assistance from government agencies overseas.

(Source: Philstar, June 25, 2025) The DMW and OWWA estimate that over 205,000 Filipino workers in the Middle East are undocumented. The number adds to the already sizeable Filipino population in the region. Caunan appealed to OFWs to register so that, in emergencies, the government can locate and assist them. Still, she emphasized that undocumented workers will not be excluded from assistance. The DMW and OWWA are offering ₱150,000 in financial aid to all repatriated workers, including the undocumented.