𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝐂𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝐌𝐖𝐎 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚

On August 30, 2024, a significant consultation meeting took place at the Department of Migrant Workers, marking the opening of the new Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Austria. This event was a pivotal moment for stakeholders involved in the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) across Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Among those in attendance were Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Director Julyn Ambito Fermin and Director Jun Aguilar, and 40 Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) actively deploying workers within the jurisdiction of MWO Austria.

𝐊𝗲𝘆 𝐃𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝐎𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀

The meeting was a platform for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and providing recommendations to improve the deployment and welfare of OFWs in Central Europe. Here’s a closer look at the critical topics covered during the meeting:

𝟏. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐖𝐎 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚:
The meeting highlighted the collective experiences of various PRAs in managing and supporting OFWs in the region. Attendees provided valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by Filipino workers, emphasizing the need for tailored support systems to ensure their well-being and success abroad.

𝟐. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐖𝐎 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚:
The official announcement of the new MWO in Austria, which now covers Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, and Croatia, was a significant milestone. This office is expected to streamline processes and enhance the coordination of services provided to OFWs, ensuring that their needs are met promptly and effectively.

𝟑. 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭:
Another critical announcement was the upcoming Stakeholders Summit, aimed at bringing together Employers and Foreign Recruitment Agencies (FRAs). This summit will focus on discussing the current conditions and challenges in deploying OFWs across the four jurisdictions. It will be an essential forum for addressing issues, sharing best practices, and fostering stronger collaborations between stakeholders.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

As a representative of Premier Global Recruitment, we were honored to participate in this consultation. We took this opportunity to share our recommendations, which we believe are crucial in enhancing the overall experience of OFWs in Central Europe. Here are some key points we discussed:

𝟏. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫-𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 (𝐏𝐀𝐎𝐒):
We proposed the development of a specialized PAOS for OFWs. This seminar would be instrumental in equipping workers with essential knowledge about the laws, customs, and cultural nuances of their host countries. Additionally, it would address the do’s and don’ts and clarify the rights and responsibilities of OFWs. Such an initiative would not only ease the transition for our workers but also mitigate concerns related to the potential absconding of OFWs, thereby providing reassurance to employers.

𝟐. 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬:
With Slovakia emerging as a popular destination for OFWs, particularly in the Production and Manufacturing sectors, we emphasized the importance of strengthening ties through a bilateral agreement. We recommended several key measures, including:

– Streamlining visa processing and scheduling at the Jakarta Embassy through BLS International.
– Educating employers in Slovakia on the migration process and the necessary flows, ensuring smoother operations as a labor-receiving country.
– Defining recruitment and employment conditions, including working hours, wages, and other employment terms.
– Ensuring the rights and protections of workers, including fair treatment, non-discrimination, and access to healthcare.
– Establishing protocols for the repatriation and reintegration of workers, facilitating their return and re-entry into the Philippine labor market.

Moving Forward

We are optimistic about the future of OFW deployment in Central Europe, particularly with the establishment of the new MWO in Austria. The discussions during this consultation meeting have set the stage for more effective collaboration and better support systems for our Filipino workers.

We look forward to the upcoming Stakeholders Summit and are eager to continue contributing to the dialogue on improving the conditions and experiences of OFWs abroad. Should you need further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can create a more supportive and successful environment for our OFWs.

-TINA G-