MANILA — The Philippines is positioning itself as a powerhouse in the global labor market, with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) aggressively expanding international employment opportunities and worker protections, officials said Thursday.
In a strategic diplomatic push, the DMW successfully negotiated with representatives from 10 countries during the recent Global Labor Market Conference in Riyadh, signaling a robust appetite for Filipino talent across diverse sectors.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed that bilateral discussions centered on skilled Filipino workers’ potential in healthcare, hospitality, and construction industries, with several nations expressing keen interest in the country’s innovative overseas employment framework.
“We’re not just exporting workers; we’re exporting professionally trained, globally competitive talent,” Cacdac emphasized during a media briefing in Makati City.
A groundbreaking initiative emerged from discussions with Saudi Arabian officials, who agreed to transition from a reactive to a proactive worker monitoring system. This approach aims to preemptively address potential worker vulnerabilities, particularly for domestic workers.
The DMW is also pioneering a “know your employer” strategy and proposing to reclassify domestic workers performing caregiving duties as specialized caregivers—a move designed to ensure better training and workplace conditions.
“Our goal is transformative,” said DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan. “We want to establish the Philippines as a leader in the global care economy.”
With negotiations ongoing with countries including Finland, Egypt, and Jordan, the Philippines is strategically repositioning its migrant workforce as a sophisticated, skill-driven export.
The emerging diplomatic landscape suggests a promising future for overseas Filipino workers, balancing economic opportunities with enhanced worker protections.
