Who We Are
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Milan is the official overseas labor office of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) of the Republic of the Philippines in Italy. It is mandated to protect and promote the rights, welfare, and interests of Filipino migrant workers through the delivery of labor-related services, regulatory functions, and assistance programs.
From POLO Milan to MWO Milan
MWO Milan traces its institutional roots to the former Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Milan, which operated under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11641, which created the Department of Migrant Workers, all POLOs worldwide were reorganized and reconstituted as Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs).
This transition marked a significant reform in the Philippines’ overseas labor governance, consolidating labor migration, welfare, and regulatory functions under a single department. As part of this reform, POLO Milan officially became MWO Milan, now operating under the direct supervision and policy direction of the DMW.
Mandate & Functions
MWO Milan carries out the DMW’s mandate by providing labor-related services to Filipino migrant workers and employers, including:
- Contract verification for overseas employment
- Issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC) for Returning OFWs (Balik Manggagawa)
- Labor and employment advisory services
- Monitoring of employment conditions of Filipino workers
- Assistance to Nationals (ATN) for migrant workers in distress, provided on a case-by-case basis as a protective measure of last resort
Territorial Jurisdiction
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Milan exercises jurisdiction over Milan and the areas under the consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Milan, covering the Italian regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Valle d’Aosta.
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Vienna, which commenced its operations on 01 October 2024, exercises jurisdiction over Vienna, Austria, as well as the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic.
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Budapest, which commenced its operations in December 2024, exercises jurisdiction over Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania, and Moldova.
