Data privacy for OFWs

How informed consent works for WhatsApp welfare messages.

Protecting worker data is a core priority. Under the Philippine Data Privacy Act 2012 and WhatsApp Business API rules, workers must be informed that they will receive automated welfare messages.

How to gather informed acknowledgment: - For new deployments: Include a simple clause in their pre-deployment paperwork or contract. A standard clause looks like this: "As part of our agency's welfare monitoring obligations, you will receive regular welfare messages via WhatsApp. These messages are non-promotional welfare notifications to ensure your safety and well-being while deployed overseas. By signing this contract, you acknowledge that you will receive these welfare messages from [Agency Name]." - For currently deployed workers: If you are adding Wyamate to monitor workers who are already overseas, send an initial onboarding message explaining the system and asking for acknowledgment. Wyamate automatically handles this with a built-in consent template that logs worker acknowledgment. If a worker doesn't respond, your Welfare Desk Officer can follow up via phone and log a manual confirmation.

Wyamate only uses utility messages for worker safety—never promotional content. Our system gives your agency a compliant, lawful basis for monitoring while respecting the privacy rights of every OFW.