Canada is among the most popular destinations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in various industries, with many of them eventually becoming immigrants and living in the country permanently. To make sure that the rights and well-being of OFWs are taken care of, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) was established.
At present, there are 39 Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) around the world, catering to the needs and concerns of OFWs. Notably, there are two MWOs in Canada: one in Toronto, and another in Vancouver.
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What is the Migrant Workers Office?
The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) serves as the overseas operating arm of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Established in 2022 through Republic Act No. 115641, the DMW has actually “absorbed” the functions of several agencies, namely: the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB); the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP); the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRC) under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); and the Office of the Social Welfare Attaché (OSWA) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
As the overseas operating arm of the DMW, the MWO is responsible for protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of OFWs. In Canada, MWO Toronto covers OFWs based in Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and Quebec. Meanwhile, MWO Vancouver caters to OFWs who are living and working in Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.
Programs and Services
The services offered by MWO Toronto and MWO Vancouver include verification of employment contracts, verification of OEC online applications, registration/renewal with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and many more.
Accreditation and Hiring
This service involves the review and accreditation of documents submitted by recruitment agencies and employers who intend to hire workers from the Philippines.
Verification of Employment Contracts
One of the MWO’s responsibilities is to make sure that employment contracts comply with Philippine as well as Canadian laws. This involves checking and verifying employment contracts and OEC online applications for OFWs. Note that the required documents for verification are different for applicants under the agency hiring system and those under the name/direct hiring system. It also depends on the applicant’s profession (e.g. skilled worker, caregiver, etc.).
Assistance to Nationals (ATN)
The Philippine government is committed to protecting the rights and promoting the well-being of OFWs. For this reason, the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) division of the MWO was created to support OFWs who need help with regard to employment contract problems, legal cases, job-related health concerns, and other matters.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is an attached agency of the DMW. Membership to OWWA entitles the OFW to different types of benefits and services, such as training, education, repatriation, and reintegration services. OFWs in Canada can go to the MWO’s OWWA section for membership application, renewal, and other concerns.
Pag-IBIG Fund
The Pag-IBIG Fund, also known as the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), is a Philippine government program that provides affordable housing loans, multipurpose loans, high-earning savings programs, and other services to its contributing members, which include OFWs.
Social Security System (SSS)
The Social Security System (SSS) is a government program that offers social protection to Filipino workers, including OFWs, professionals, private sector workers, and those in the informal sector. Its benefits include sickness, maternity, disability, and retirement. OFWs in Canada can go to the MWO to avail of SSS-related services and benefits.
Directory of Filipino and Filipino-Canadian Organizations
The MWOs in Toronto and Vancouver have a directory of Filipino and Filipino-Canadian community organizations, businesses, media entities, and more. These groups can register with the MWO, and if they consent, they can have their contact information featured on the website. This way, the Filipino community in Canada is able to create and maintain linkages with one another and explore various opportunities.
Health and Information Fairs
From time to time, the MWO, together with the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) office, contacts outreach missions in different parts of Canada. During these missions, they offer free services such as dental screenings, vaccinations, mental health support, and more.
Other Services
Aside from the above services, the MWO also provides support for seasonal and temporary workers, particularly those in the agricultural sector. Moreover, the MWO actively fights against illegal recruitment and trafficking, cautioning people against suspicious and unauthorized job offers, which may involve human trafficking and exploitation.
Video: Internet Voting for Filipino Overseas Voters
Since the May 2025 National Elections is coming soon, Filipinos around the world should be prepared! For Filipino overseas voters, there’s going to be a 30-day overseas voting period, from April 13 to May 12, 2025. Here is a video of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) about Internet voting, as shared by the Facebook page of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Toronto:
Contact Information: MWO Offices in Canada
If you are an OFW based in Canada and you have questions or concerns for the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Toronto or Vancouver, here are their contact details and location maps. Keep in mind that these office are open from Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, except on Philippine and Canadian holidays.
MWO in Toronto
Address: Suite 200, 160 Eglinton Ave., E, Toronto, ON, Canada, Ontario
Telephone: +1 416 975 8252
Email: mwo_toronto@dmw.gov.ph
Website: https://torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph/polo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWOToronto/
Google Map Location:
MWO in Vancouver
Address: Suite 601, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, V6C3E1
Telephone: +1 604 641 1234
Email: mwo_vancouver@dmw.gov.ph
Website: https://www.vancouverpcg.org/migrant-workers-office-mwo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWOinVancouver/
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
Thanks to the Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Toronto and Vancouver, OFWs in different parts of Canada can avail of various services or get the support they need while staying in the country.
Of course, as a foreign worker, you need to be aware of your rights, regardless of your profession or workplace. Check out this article to know more about employee’s labor rights in the workplace.