The Philippines and the Canadian Province of Manitoba agreed to cooperate on human resource development (HRD) and the deployment and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Manitoba, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said.
Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo D. Brion and Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Friday, Feb. 8, providing for cooperation on HRD and OFW deployment and protection between the DOLE and the Department of Labor and Immigration of the Government of Manitoba (LIM).
Doer is in Manila along other members of the Manitoba mission for a series of meetings with several Filipino business and community leaders from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12.
Brion said the MOU signing with DOLE is an important part of the Manitoba mission in the Philippines, noting that the MOU indicates Manitoba's recognition of Filipino workers who can fill its skills requirements.
He said the MOU is a milestone in the government's efforts to help Filipino workers find gainful employment opportunities that afford them ample protection from unscrupulous illegal recruiters and exploitative employers overseas.
Under the MOU, the Labor and Employment Secretary specified that the DOLE and the Government of Manitoba will not only cooperate on the orderly recruitment and deployment of OFWs to Manitoba but will also act in compliance with laws and regulations on labor and employment prevailing in both the Philippines and Manitoba.
Brion added that both parties will also prioritize cooperation on ensuring that the need of employers in Manitoba for OFWs with appropriate skills are met through training and credential recognition activities.
"The RP-Manitoba cooperation would pave the way for greater recognition of Filipino skills and qualifications, thereby, facilitating their employment and deployment to Manitoba," Brion said.
The DOLE Chief clarified that OFWs who would like to work in Manitoba will still have to apply for relevant vacancies through recruitment agencies authorized to recruit workers.
He said the DOLE and Manitoba would exchange information concerning legitimate Manitoba employers and registered recruitment or sending agencies in the Philippines. Manitoba will notify the DOLE of employers qualified to recruit and employ OFWs. The DOLE, on the other hand, will provide the LIM with a list of authorized sending agencies.
The DOLE, through the sending agencies, will develop mechanisms to facilitate the deployment of qualified OFWs to Manitoba.
DOLE and Manitoba will also explore projects to sustain and promote HRD in the Philippines. A working committee will be established to coordinate the activities of both parties.
source: Information and Publication Service
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