Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 4) — A possible bilateral deal with Germany next year will benefit skilled workers, a Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) official said on Friday.
Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the agreement may be signed as early as the first quarter.
“Meron po tayong pinag-uusapang panibagong bilateral labor agreement pero patungkol po ito sa other skills — nandiyan po yung sa culinary, nandiyan po ang sa pipefitters and welders. So, bright po ang future natin dito sa Germany,” said Caunan in a press briefing.
[Translation: We are discussing a new bilateral labor agreement but for other skills such as in culinary, for pipefitters, and welders. So, we have a bright future with Germany.]
For her part, Migrant Workers Secretary Toots Ople announced new potential markets for Filipino workers in Europe such as Portugal, Romania, and Hungary.
Ople said Hungary is considering accepting up to 3,000 workers by the end of the year and more by next year.
Portugal, meanwhile, expressed interest in accepting Filipino workers for its booming tourism industry.
Ople said among possible challenges in sending workers to Portugal, Romania, and Hungary are the language requirement and need to establish labor offices there.
She cautioned Filipinos against accepting job offers through social media to avoid scammers.
“Wag na wag pumatol sa Facebook job offers. Either kukuhanan lang kayo ng pera tapos hindi niyo na makakausap o makakarating nga kayo don pero wala naman kayong employer. Either way, kayo ang talo, yung illegal recruiter ang panalo,” the secretary said.
[Translation: Please don’t engage with Facebook job offers. It’s either they will get your money and you will never hear from the recruiter again, or you will be able to reach your destination but you don’t have an employer. Either way, you will lose, the illegal recruiter wins.]
