DMW: Government to aid human trafficking victims from Laos

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino workers who were rescued from a human trafficking ring in Laos are getting financial and other assistance from the government, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported yesterday.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said government assistance would be given to the victims of human trafficking as they seek justice and rebuild their lives.

Cacdac said the government would also provide psycho-social support and legal aid to the trafficking survivors.

Nine Filipino victims of human trafficking arrived in the Philippines on Sunday.

The DMW said the returnees were among the 73 Filipino victims of human trafficking rescued from scam groups at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo province in Laos.

Cacdac has reminded aspiring OFWs seeking employment in Southeast Asian nations to first secure working visas.

He said the no-visa policy in other Southeast Asian nations applies only to tourists.

“In the case of (the human trafficking victims in) Laos, the applicants were told that they did not need to secure work visas,” Cacdac noted.

He said employment contracts and other documentation must be obtained from the DMW.