By Drizia May L. Varez
The state must fulfill its legal requirement to repatriate citizens because this statutory right to mandatory repatriation exists as an enforceable obligation.
As missiles drop from the skies of the Middle East and the escalation of global tensions continues, thousands of Filipino workers found themselves caught in between the conflict they did not intend to be part of. The chaos brought by the attacks of Israel on Iran has become a dangerous environment for overseas Filipino workers as it is marked by airstrikes and regional destabilization.
Amid the conflict, the Philippine government needs to answer questions about the protection of migrant workers and how it should take responsibility over the welfare of Filipinos coming home.
War beyond borders: Risking of right to life, liberty, and security
The Israel–Iran conflict has expanded beyond its initial territorial limits. The situation has developed into a more serious crisis which involves missile and drone strikes that affect multiple nations and disrupts critical oil transportation routes while causing extensive damage to civilian life. Subsequently, missile strikes have caused injuries to Filipinos and locals of the region, destroyed homes causing the displacements of families and caused the loss of the OFW’s supposedly secured jobs. Last 28 February 2026, 32 year old Mary Ann De Vera was in the middle of an attack and trying to escort her employer to a shelter. Fortunately her employer survived, however, De Vera was killed after being hit by shrapnel in Tel Aviv, Israel.
In Israel, there were at least eight Filipinos who were reported injured while dozens have lost their homes due to the impact of missile attacks forcing these families into temporary shelters. Migrant workers face a situation of elevated danger during times of war due to the lack of emergency support, and absence of access to state protection.
Workplaces during wartime: Violation of International Labour Standards
Filipinos working outside the country are commonly described as the country’s “modern day heroes”. However, despite such a title, the vulnerability and uncertainty of their work and where they reside remains rarely discussed. Overseas Filipino workers based in the Middle East have also been called the “backbone of overseas employment” because in the region alone, there are over 1 million OFWs, accounting for more than 50 percent of deployed overseas workers. Many of them are domestic workers and construction workers. Service employees must continue their work shifts during emergency situations.
The situation creates a moral and legal dilemma because workers need to fulfill their work despite the risks.
Mandatory repatriation: A legal right under Philippine law
The Philippine government has established special laws which provide protection to migrant workers during emergency situations. According to Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, the government must execute mandatory repatriation of Filipino workers who face war situations or civil unrest or emergency situations. The state must fulfill its legal requirement to repatriate citizens because this statutory right to mandatory repatriation exists as an enforceable obligation. The Philippine government must begin evacuation procedures for its nationals when host country conditions develop into situations that present clear and present danger.
The conflict in the Middle East creates both diplomatic issues and specific legal responsibilities which must be fulfilled. The Philippine government must execute its obligations through operating procedures which include elevating alert status together with developing evacuation pathways while working with employers and host countries. The process of repatriation becomes difficult because of its various implementation problems like airspace restrictions, infrastructure destruction and the high number of Filipinos present in the area. Furthermore, workers themselves may choose not to leave for fear of losing their source of livelihood or because their employers are pressuring them to stay.
Putting human rights at the center of foreign and labor policy
Filipino workers are known for being strong but at times, their lives are being put in danger and their basic human rights are not being protected . They should have a place to work and be able to go back home if they need to.
Every Filipino worker deserves to be treated with dignity no matter where they are working in the world. The Philippine government needs to create policies that will actually protect their rights.
*The article is an output from a training conducted by Bulatlat among the law students of the Far Eastern University Institute of Law under the class of Professor Josiah David Quising.
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