𝗩𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 “𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿” 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Spread the love

Read Time:2 Minute, 31 Second

Vienna, Austria – The Philippines established itself as a global leader in ethical and strategic labor migration governance during the recently concluded 10th Vienna Conference. It received widespread international praise for its comprehensive, innovative, and rights-based approach to managing overseas labor.

In a high-level panel titled “Armchair Conversation: Migration as an Engine of Development in Countries of Origin – What Is Needed?”, Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) discussed with representatives from governments, international organizations, and civil society. He highlighted the Philippines’ strong and comprehensive labor migration framework, stressing the country’s steadfast dedication to protecting, empowering, and supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) throughout their migration journey.

“Exporting labor is not our development policy. Rather, it is the worker who creates employment opportunities abroad,” said Secretary Cacdac.

He emphasized that when labor mobility is responsibly and strategically managed, it serves as a catalyst for inclusive growth, international cooperation, and the preservation of migrant dignity.

“Our role is to ensure that deployment is rights-based, welfare-focused, and development-oriented for the worker and for the nation,” he added.

Investing in Lifelong Learning and Future Skills

A key element of the Philippine model, Secretary Cacdac emphasized, is a strong focus on lifelong learning and upskilling. The government, through the DMW and its partner agencies, offers a wide range of training programs from digital literacy and language proficiency to skills certification and recognition systems designed to prepare OFWs for success in global labor markets.

These initiatives are closely connected with reintegration programs that assist returning OFWs in transitioning smoothly back into the local workforce, starting their own businesses, or applying their overseas experience to new opportunities at home.

Global Recognition and Strategic Partnerships

Conference participants praised the Philippines for its pioneering efforts, with one delegate calling it “a superpower among labor-sending nations.” The recognition enhanced the country’s reputation as a global leader in rights-based, development-focused migration governance.

At the conference sidelines, the Philippine delegation met with Michael Spindelegger, Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and Director General-elect Susanne Raab. The discussions focused on collaboration areas such as the Labor Information System, Skills Recognition, Quick Welfare Response, the holding of the Labor Practitioner Network, and Action Research, particularly on Safe Seasonal Workers, Pension and Social Benefits, and Migrant Return.

These initiatives are in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s directive to “further strengthen our efforts on labour diplomacy at the bilateral and multilateral level” to ensure that host countries share responsibility in “safe, ethical, regular, and transparent recruitment processes, as well as just and humane conditions” for Filipino workers overseas.

Secretary Cacdac was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Vienna Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, DFA Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, DMW Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul Jr., Assistant Secretary Julyn S. Ambito-Fermin, Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, and other officials from the Philippine Embassy and the DMW.