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| (Photo courtesy of Department of Migrant Workers) |
By John Lester Naguna
PASIG CITY (PIA) —The Philippine and Croatian governments have affirmed their commitment to strengthen labor cooperation and enhance the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with the signing of a joint statement on October 14, 2025 at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City.
Signed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Croatia’s Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, the document highlights key new partnership areas, including a no placement fee policy and a Government-to-Government (G2G) hiring program for hotel workers.
The G2G program assures Filipinos hired for Croatian hotel jobs will not be charged placement fees, which Migrant Workers Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul, Jr. praised at the 1st Joint Committee Meeting on the Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Labour Market held Monday.
“We appreciate the shared commitment to fair and ethical recruitment practices and to address concerns and challenges in the deployment of Filipino hotel workers. The DMW looks forward to working closely with Croatia, with concrete actions to benefit both workers and employers and to further deepen our bonds of friendship and cooperation with Croatians.” said Usec Rasul.
Croatia’s State Secretary Ivan Vidis expressed full support for the G2G program noting it is the country’s most preferred migration pathway.
The agreement also aims to streamline work permits and residence cards to boost labor mobility and strengthen cooperation on Pre-Departure and Post-Arrival Orientation Seminars (PDOS and PAOS).
Furthermore, the two nations committed to improving coordination to ensure proper documentation and protection for workers entering Croatia through third countries. The potential deployment of Filipino healthcare workers was also included in the discussions.
Croatia has announced plans to open more job opportunities for Filipinos in the healthcare (caregivers), construction, and other sectors.
Undersecretary Rasul, Jr. and State Secretary Vidis, who signed the statement on behalf of their respective agencies, emphasized that the event marks a milestone in Philippines–Croatia labor relations, built on mutual respect and shared values.
The event coincided with the PH–Croatia Friendship Week Celebration, symbolizing a deepening bond between the two nations. (JLN/PIA-NCR)
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