OFW Watch is dedicated to providing the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFWs) with the tools to help the world fight human slavery. As a group, the most vulnerable among us are often victims of this horrible crime.

 

“We are not a nation of helpless victims.”

 

The majority of OFWs are successful contributors to society. We are doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers and engineers. Even the majority of our domestic and unskilled workers are strong and resourceful.

 

Unfortunately, the evils of modern day human slavery prey upon the weakest among us.

 

The reality is the sheer size of the OFW population makes it almost impossible for any government agency to be effective without our help. The Philippine Department of Labor (DOLE), OWWA and POEA have less than 10,000 employees total and only a fraction of those are tasked with OFW related issues.

 

We are over ten million strong. It is up to us, the OFW community, to turn the problem of overwhelming numbers into the solution! We can do this by connecting with each other via social media and then acting when we receive a call for help.

 

 

It is time for the strong OFWs among us to stand up for the weak!

 

 

Do you think you might know a victim of human trafficking?

 

The following are all possible indicators that someone might be a victim:

• Living with employer
• Poor living conditions
• Multiple people in cramped space
• Inability to speak to individual alone
• Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
• Employer is holding identity documents
• Signs of physical abuse
• Submissive or fearful
• Unpaid or paid very little
• Under 18 and in prostitution

 

If you are able to communicate with the suspected victim without jeopardizing their safety, the experts recommend you ask these questions:

 

• Can you leave your job if you want to?
• Can you come and go as you please?
• Have you been hurt or threatened if you tried to leave?
• Has your family been threatened?
• Do you live with your employer?
• Where do you sleep and eat?
• Are you in debt to your employer?
• Do you have your passport/identification? Who has it?

 

Take action!

If you believe the individual is a victim you must alert the proper officials. Contact the local police station or country’s human trafficking hotline. There is a complete list of human trafficking hotlines listed by country in the Resources Section above.

 

Or Contact OFW Watch. You can email us at help@ofwwatch.com with enough details for us to take action on behalf of the suspected victim. We will take it from there. Please include your phone number or email, in case we need additional information.