Verify employment contracts and other employment-related documents;
Monitor and report to the Secretary on situations and policy developments in the receiving country that may affect Filipino migrant workers in particular and Philippine labor policies, in general;
Pursue, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, discussions on labor and other issues and concerns with the foreign government and/or the embassies concerned, and international organizations;
Verify the whereabouts, status, and condition of OFWs;
Ensure the promotion and protection of the welfare and interests of OFWs and assist them in all problems arising out of employer-employee relationships including violation of work contracts, nonpayment of wages and other benefits, illegal dismissal, and other violations of the terms and conditions of their employment;
Supervise and coordinate the operations of Migrant Workers Resource Center (MWRC);
Provide social and welfare programs and services to OFWs, including social assistance, education and training, cultural services, financial management, reintegration, and entrepreneurial development services;
Provide prompt and appropriate response to global emergencies or crisis situations affecting Filipino nationals through close cooperation and coordination with the DFA;
Manage cases of, and provide psychosocial services to, OFWs in distress, such as victims of trafficking in persons or illegal recruitment, rape or sexual abuse, maltreatment and other forms of physical or mental abuse, and cases of abandoned or neglected children;
Provide appropriate assistance to victims of kidnapping, hostage victims, and other victims of other crimes in cooperation with the DFA;
Conduct hospital visitation, and provide necessary assistance until the full recovery of the OFW concerned, and their immediate family members, where practicable and appropriate;
Facilitate the repatriation of distressed OFWs and their families, including shipment of remains and personal belongings;
Provide assistance, legal or otherwise, in labor, criminal, immigration, and other cases filed by or against OFWs, whether detained or not;
Conduct hospital visitation and provide necessary assistance until the full recovery of the OFW concerned, and their immediate family members, where practicable and appropriate;
Ensure the protection of women migrant workers by ensuring the designation of a gender focal point officer in its offices and in MWRCs, and the conduct of regular gender-sensitivity including ending-VAW training, and gender audits to assess responsiveness of programs and services. The gender focal point officer shall also serve as the ending-VAW focal point officer;
Undertake surveys and prepare official social welfare situationers on the OFWs in the area of assignment;
Establish a network with overseas-based social welfare agencies and/or individuals and groups which may be mobilized to assist in the provision of appropriate social services;
Establish and maintain a data bank and documentation of OFWs and their families so that appropriate social welfare services can be more effectively provided;
Submit regular reports to the Secretary and the DFA on plans and activities undertaken, recommendations, and updates on the situation of OFWs, particularly those encountering difficulties that would form part of the semi-annual Report to Congress as provided under Section 33 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended;
Regularly update the online database system provided under the Act to facilitate and ensure the delivery of appropriate, timely, and effective welfare services to OFWs and their families;
Perform other functions and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Secretary.
