The Philippines has cemented its standing as a global leader in ethical and strategic labor migration governance after receiving widespread international praise during the recently concluded 10th Vienna Conference. The country was lauded for its comprehensive, innovative, and deeply rights-based approach to managing overseas labor, often described as a model for other labor-sending nations.
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) represented the Philippines in a high-level panel titled “Armchair Conversation: Migration as an Engine of Development in Countries of Origin – What Is Needed?”. The discussion brought together representatives from governments, international organizations, and civil society to analyze best practices in labor mobility.
Secretary Cacdac underscored the country’s strong and comprehensive framework, emphasizing the Philippine government’s dedication to protecting, empowering, and supporting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) throughout their entire migration journey.
“Exporting labor is not our development policy. Rather, it is the worker who creates employment opportunities abroad,” said Secretary Cacdac. “Our role is to ensure that deployment is rights-based, welfare-focused, and development-oriented for the worker and for the nation.”
Investing in Skills and Sustainable Reintegration
A key element of the Philippine model highlighted by the Secretary is the heavy investment in lifelong learning and upskilling. Through the DMW and its partner agencies, the government offers extensive training programs, including digital literacy, language proficiency, and skills certification, preparing OFWs for success and higher value in global labor markets.
Crucially, these initiatives are linked to robust reintegration programs designed to assist returning OFWs in transitioning smoothly back into the local workforce, launching their own enterprises, or applying their valuable overseas experience to new opportunities at home.
Global Recognition and Strategic Collaboration
Conference participants celebrated the Philippines’ pioneering efforts, with one international delegate reportedly calling the country “a superpower among labor-sending nations.”
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to “further strengthen our efforts on labour diplomacy at the bilateral and multilateral level,” the Philippine delegation held strategic meetings on the conference sidelines. Discussions with Michael Spindelegger, Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), focused on collaboration areas, including:
- Developing the Labor Information System
- Enhancing Skills Recognition processes
- Establishing a Quick Welfare Response mechanism
- Action Research on Safe Seasonal Workers, Pension and Social Benefits, and Migrant Return.
The Philippines remains committed to ensuring that host countries share responsibility in maintaining safe, ethical, regular, and transparent recruitment processes, as well as just and humane conditions for Filipino workers overseas.
