Manila – German and Philippine officials are in the process of negotiating an agreement that would streamline the recruitment of Filipino professionals to Germany beyond the healthcare sector. According to David Klebs, Economic Counselor at the German Embassy in Manila, the new deal aims to “work on streamlining technicalities” in recruiting skilled Filipino workers in other industries.
The Philippines has had a nurse recruitment agreement with Germany called the “Triple Win” program since 2013. Earlier this year, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to further improve nurse recruitment procedures. Klebs said the upcoming agreement would similarly cover the recruitment of other skilled professions, though the specific job types are still being discussed.
Regardless of whether the final deal takes the form of a binding agreement or non-binding memorandum, Klebs stressed that Germany is committed to high ethical standards. He noted that Filipino workers in Germany receive the full set of labor protections and benefits immediately upon arrival.
As the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, strengthening economic ties is a priority. This month, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce is holding a three-day business fair in Manila called “Mabuhay Germany” to connect businesses and promote areas of cooperation like sustainable development, AI technology, climate action and more.
The recruitment agreement negotiations and upcoming business event reflect Germany and the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to build mutual understanding while providing economic opportunities for skilled Filipino workers. As talks continue, a finalized deal could help address skilled labor needs in Germany through an orderly, rights-respecting process.
