March 15, 2024

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Hans Leo Cacdac discusses the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Labor Consultations Mechanism forged between the DMW and the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs during the state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the Czech Republic.

“Magkaroon ng mekanismo para sa transparent, safe, ethical recruitment. Yan napakahalaga niyan. Siguraduhing walang malilinlang ng illegal recruiter o human trafficking. Walang bibigyan ng substandard contract o mga terms and conditions employment na labag sa batas natin at batas dito sa Czech Republic,” DMW OIC Cacdac stresses.

He also notes that the Joint Communique ensures an open and direct communication with the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and more importantly, recognizes the fair and equal treatment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“Ang mga OFWs sa mga sektor na nabanggit ko, kikilalanin yan na kapantay sila ng mga Czech workers. Hindi sila idi-discriminate, hindi sila bibigyan ng sweldong mas mababa o tatratuhin nang iba. Kaya’t pag fair and equal ang pagtrato, yan ang nakasaad talaga mismo, klarong-klaro sa Joint Communique. Di lang yon, magtatatag pa tayo ng mga safeguards,” OIC Cacdac adds, pertaining to pre-departure orientation and post-arrival orientation.

The Joint Communique comes at an opportune time as the Czech Republic raised its quota for Filipino workers to 10,300 per year starting this May.

“Per instruction din ni Pangulo, gawan ng paraan na idigitalize, pabilisin ang proseso. At the same time may garantiya ng proteksyon,” DMW OIC Hans Cacdac says.

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