Since 1983 the Philippines has provided a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) providing relevant and tailor-made information to help them cope with their new work environment and the culture of their country of destination.
Since 2009, the PDOS has expanded with the implementation of a Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) for Household Service Workers (HSWs).
The Philippine model of pre-departure orientation relates to the GFMD 2010 Roundtables on reducing the costs of migration and maximizing human development and builds upon the 2008 Roundtables on the protection and empowerment of migrants.
Given the comprehensive approach of the pre-departure model, including financial, cultural and language courses, and health and stress management training, the practice has been referred upon each GFMD year in various contexts, including in background papers on remittances, health, return and other themes.
See for example:
M&D Practices Shared within the GFMD context by Steering Group Members (2007 - 2011)
For more information visit the website of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA): www.owwa.gov.ph