MANILA — The Philippines and New Zealand are strengthening cooperation on migrant labor, with both countries emphasizing safer recruitment practices and stronger protections for Filipino workers as they mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Tuesday that overseas Filipino workers and their employers in New Zealand have helped reinforce longstanding ties between the two countries.
“This milestone reflects six decades of our cooperation and shared commitment to the welfare and dignity of our peoples,” Cacdac said during the Philippines-New Zealand Friendship Week celebration in Mandaluyong City.
Cacdac pointed to a 2008 Memorandum of Agreement on Labor Cooperation and a 2015 agreement establishing principles and controls for recruiting and safeguarding Filipino workers in New Zealand. He said the agreements provide the foundation for cooperation on ethical recruitment, compliance with labor laws and worker protection throughout the migration and employment process.
The two governments also are discussing additional measures involving safe labor mobility, regular migration pathways and efforts to combat human trafficking, he said.
More than 100,000 Filipinos live in New Zealand, Cacdac said, working in health care, education, skilled trades and other sectors. He described them as bridges between the two nations, helping strengthen cultural understanding, economic cooperation and social ties.
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine Rosemary McIntosh said Filipinos are among the country’s largest and fastest-growing migrant communities.
“Their dedication, talent, and hard work enrich our workplaces, our communities and contribute to sectors that are vital to New Zealand’s economy,” McIntosh said, citing health care, aged care, agriculture, horticulture, construction, hospitality and education.
Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Kira Christianne Azucena said the Philippine government remains focused on the welfare of Filipinos in New Zealand, including migrant workers, students and permanent residents.
“We are grateful for the cooperation of the New Zealand government and its agencies in ensuring that our kababayans are treated fairly, with dignity and respect,” Azucena said.
Cacdac said the success of labor migration should not be judged solely by the number of workers deployed abroad.
“It should be measured by whether these opportunities are decent, fair, safe, and empowering,” he said, adding that workers should be able to contribute to host communities while receiving protection and respect.
As the countries celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations, Cacdac called for a renewed commitment to a labor partnership based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, human dignity and shared prosperity.
