MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has intensified its efforts to broaden job prospects and bolster protections for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as international demand for their skills continues to grow. At a recent press conference in Makati City, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac highlighted the successful interactions with 40 ministers from various nations during the Global Labor Market Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, held on January 29-30, 2025.
Cacdac reported engaging in numerous bilateral talks with 10 countries hosting OFWs, including Saudi Arabia, Finland, the Bahamas, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Libya. DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan noted that the discussions focused on the increasing need for skilled Filipino workers in sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, and construction.
Caunan emphasized that several countries are interested in adopting the Philippines’ overseas employment model, with some considering the establishment of their own migrant worker departments. She stressed the importance of ongoing training programs to ensure Filipino workers remain competitive globally.
The DMW aims to position the Philippines as a key player in the global care economy, particularly in caregiving. At the conference, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia explored ways to enhance monitoring systems for OFWs, especially domestic workers, shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach.
Caunan mentioned that Saudi Arabia showcased its digital monitoring system, which the Philippines plans to incorporate into a comprehensive strategy to improve worker protection through enhanced coordination. This strategy includes sharing information about employers with a history of abuse towards domestic workers.
The DMW is also advocating for a ‘know your employer’ approach, which has been agreed upon by Saudi Arabia and is set to be implemented in all countries where Filipino domestic workers are deployed. Additionally, there is a proposal to reclassify Filipino domestic workers who primarily perform caregiving duties as caregivers, ensuring they receive suitable training and work conditions.
Saudi officials have supported this reclassification, and the DMW plans to extend this change to other host countries. Negotiations are also in progress to update and strengthen existing labor agreements, including the 2013 Memorandum of Agreement with Saudi Arabia.