Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, joined by senior officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), hosted His Excellency Florian Hahn, German Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, to strengthen the longstanding labor cooperation between the two nations.
The high-level meeting, held at the DMW Central Office, focused on advancing ethical, rights-based migration and expanding employment opportunities for Filipino professionals beyond the traditional healthcare sector.
While the Philippines–Germany Triple Win Program has successfully deployed 2,553 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the German healthcare sector, Minister Hahn highlighted Germany’s growing demand for skilled talent in technical industries.
Key areas identified for future recruitment include:
-
Mechanics and Engineering
-
Information Technology
-
Electrical and Energy sectors
-
Maritime Labor and Training (exploring partnerships with German maritime institutions)
Secretary Cacdac emphasized that while the Philippines is keen on global partnerships, the DMW remains committed to a “people-centered” approach. He stressed that any expansion must balance international deployment with the Philippines’ own domestic labor needs.
“Our priority is ensuring that every OFW is placed through proper job matching and responsible deployment,” said Secretary Cacdac. “We are focused on sustainable institution-building, ensuring our workers—both land-based and sea-based—receive the education and protection they deserve.”
With approximately 45,000 Filipinos currently residing in Germany, the European nation remains a premier destination for high-skilled Filipino professionals. Both delegations reaffirmed their dedication to:
-
Ethical Recruitment: Eliminating exploitative practices in the hiring process.
-
Worker Welfare: Ensuring equal treatment and robust social protections for OFWs.
-
Global Skills Partnership (GSP): Enhancing training frameworks to meet international standards.
The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to continue exploring innovative labor models that benefit the German economy while fostering the professional growth and security of Filipino workers.
