The Philippines and Romania have reaffirmed their shared commitment to safe, orderly, and ethical labor migration by agreeing to renew their bilateral labor cooperation framework and convene the inaugural Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) under their 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
During high-level bilateral talks in Bucharest, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac met with Romanian Minister of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity Dragoș-Nicolae Pîslaru and State Secretary Silvia Monica Dinică. Discussions focused on enhancing employer accountability, safeguarding fair working conditions, and establishing stronger protective mechanisms for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Romania.
Secretary Cacdac presented the Philippines’ comprehensive 52-year framework for managing overseas employment, highlighting the country’s end-to-end protective migration model.
“The Philippines deeply values its partnership with Romania in advancing safe, orderly, and regular labor migration. As we pursue the renewal of our bilateral labor agreement, convene the Joint Committee Meeting, and establish the Migrant Workers Office in Bucharest, we are strengthening a modern framework that promotes ethical recruitment, protects the rights and welfare of Filipino workers, and supports Romania’s evolving labor market needs. Together, we are demonstrating that labor mobility can be both economically beneficial and firmly anchored in human dignity,” said Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers.
| Focus Area | Key Initiatives & Protections |
| Ethical Recruitment | Alignment with Romania’s Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026, mandating strict licensing, digital registration, and prohibiting foreign worker placement fees or commissions. |
| Institutional Presence | Preparation for the formal establishment of a dedicated Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bucharest to serve the growing OFW community. |
| Social Safeguards | Enhanced social protection measures, with a strong focus on safeguards for women migrant workers and increased employer accountability. |
| Joint Governance | Immediate convening of the first Joint Committee Meeting under the 2021 MOU to oversee implementation and resolve operational issues. |
As part of the official mission, the Philippine delegation traveled to Tulcea to address emergency response efforts following recent vessel attacks in the Northern Black Sea. The delegation paid tribute to a fallen Filipino Chief Engineer who tragically died during the incidents, ensuring full support for the bereaved family.
Secretary Cacdac, along with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan and Philippine Ambassador to Romania Noel Eugene E. Servigon, also met with over 200 OFWs employed at the VARD Tulcea shipyard. The team conducted town hall discussions to directly address worker concerns, review security conditions, and distribute welfare assistance.
The Philippine delegation was further supported by OIC-Assistant Secretary for Sea-Based Concerns Augusto B. San Diego III and Labor Attaché Geraldine M. Mendez.
