STRONGER LABOR TIES. The Philippines and Romania kick of the celebration of Friendship Week at the Department of Migrant Workers head office in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday (April 16, 2024). DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac (2nd from left) and Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines Râduta Dana Matache said the two countries are seeking to further strengthen their mutual labor ties to benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the southeastern European country. (Photo courtesy of DMW)
MANILA – The Philippines and Romania are seeking to further strengthen their mutual labor cooperation that would benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the southeastern European country.
DMW officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines Râduta Dana Matache confirmed this during the opening of the Philippines-Romania Friendship Week on at the Department of Migrant Workers central office in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.
“This event celebrates the strong partnership between the Philippines and Romania in upholding safe and fair labor migration practices and the stories of dedication, perseverance, and resilience of our OFWs in Romania,” Cacdac said.
He said that based on DMW data, there are about 2,000 Filipino temporary migrants in Romania, mostly working in factories, automotive and production lines, and in households.
Cacdac said the DMW is now exploring labor cooperation with its Romanian counterparts to recruit more Filipino skilled workers, which include information technology workers, truck drivers, factory workers, and caregivers.
Matache, on her part, said better job opportunities await Filipino workers in Romania, as she expressed her gratitude to the DMW for the hospitality.
She said Filipinos in Romania have “adapted very well,” and are “very happy” in their work.
“Their disposable income is higher than that of other European countries because the cost of living is much lower. We look forward to welcoming more Filipino workers to respond to the high demand for labor in Romania,” Matache said.
The Philippine-Romania Friendship Week kicks off with educational seminars that include topics on safe, fair, and ethical recruitment sponsored by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and a presentation on “Labor Market Opportunities and Living Conditions in Romania” led by the Romanian Embassy.
A photo exhibit highlighting the stories of dedication, perseverance and resilience of OFWs in Romania, as well as food-tasting booths, were also set up at the DMW Head Office as part of the celebration. (PNA)
