PH, EU join forces vs. third-party OFW recruitment
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines has partnered with stakeholders from three Central European countries to address third-country recruitment of overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
The Department of Migrant Workers' Foreign Stakeholders Relations and Engagement Bureau hosted its inaugural international foreign stakeholders summits in Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria; and Zagreb, Croatia.
The event brought together over 340 representatives from various industries, including commerce, tourism, IT, and trades, to explore employment opportunities for Filipinos and protect their rights.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac noted the summit’s objective of fostering cooperation between the Philippines and European employers.
“Our main objective is to create a mutually beneficial environment for both our workers and employers. By promoting open dialogue and collaboration, we can align our workforce with international demands, enhancing job opportunities for Filipino workers while ensuring their protection from illegal recruitment,” said Cacdac.
The summit also highlighted the reintroduction of digital systems to facilitate smoother transactions for OFWs and streamline recruitment processes.
Expanded OFW services
Cacdac announced the launch of two migrant workers offices in Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, expanding government services in Central Europe. These offices will provide comprehensive support, including legal, labor, medical, and welfare assistance.
“This initiative aims to address the growing number of Filipino workers in Central Europe and guide foreign employers on the legal process of recruiting and deploying OFWs,” the DMW said.
Filipino workers number 8,000 in Austria and around 12,000 in Croatia, Slovenia, and Slovakia, all of which fall under the jurisdiction of MWO-Vienna. Meanwhile, MWO-Budapest will serve Filipinos in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Moldova, and Montenegro, with more than 5,000 workers.
The DMW said it plans to open two more MWO this year in Bangkok, Thailand, and Agana, Guam.
