The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Embassy of Finland cemented their shared commitment to ethical and mutually beneficial labor migration during a high-level courtesy call at the DMW Central Office on Tuesday, November 5, 2025.
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac warmly welcomed Her Excellency Saija Nurminen, Ambassador of Finland to the Philippines, to discuss progress following their initial discussions and to accelerate plans for a bilateral labor agreement.
The meeting concentrated on key updates arising from the First Joint Committee Meeting in Helsinki earlier this year, setting the stage for the formalization of the proposed Philippines–Finland Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU is designed to facilitate the deployment of Filipino specialists and highly skilled workers to Finland, a move that aligns with Finland’s growing demand for international expertise and the Philippines’ mission to find quality, ethical employment for its citizens.
“The relationship between the Philippines and Finland is founded on mutual respect for labor standards and the commitment to uphold the rights of every worker,” said Secretary Cacdac. “We are moving forward aggressively on this MOU to ensure a framework that guarantees ethical, safe, and transparent recruitment pathways for our highly qualified Filipino professionals in sectors like healthcare, IT, and specialized industry.”
Discussions also touched upon broader ASEAN labor cooperation initiatives, recognizing the Philippines’ role in regional mobility and Finland’s engagement in the Southeast Asian market. Both parties underscored the critical importance of eliminating illegal recruitment practices and protecting workers from exploitation.
Ambassador Nurminen expressed her government’s appreciation for the high competence and strong work ethic of Filipino workers, noting that the partnership is vital for supporting Finland’s labor market needs while adhering to the highest international labor standards.
Secretary Cacdac was joined by DMW officials including Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul Jr., Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara, and Labor Attaché Geraldine Mendez, reaffirming the agency’s full dedication to the bilateral cooperation.
The proposed MOU is expected to be a landmark agreement, creating a structured and protected migration channel that serves as a model for fair labor deployment globally.
