Philippines and New Zealand Strengthen Labor Cooperation for OFW Safeguards

The Philippines and New Zealand have reinforced their migrant labor ties, emphasizing stronger safeguards, ethical recruitment, and fair treatment for Filipino workers as both nations celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations. Efforts are ongoing to enhance worker welfare beyond just deployment numbers.

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The Philippines and New Zealand have reinforced their long-standing ties on migrant labor, with a renewed focus on pushing for safer, more responsible hiring practices and robust protection for Filipino workers. This comes as both nations celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, a milestone highlighted during the recent Philippines-New Zealand Friendship Week.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac noted that existing agreements, including the 2008 Memorandum of Agreement on Labor Cooperation and the 2015 Agreement on Principles and Controls for Recruiting and Safeguarding Filipino Workers, have laid the groundwork for this partnership. These reflect a shared commitment to ethical recruitment, compliance with laws, and the protection of Filipino workers throughout their migration and employment journey. Both countries are also discussing further cooperation on safe labor mobility, regular migration pathways, and anti-human trafficking efforts, as confirmed by the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand.

New Zealand Ambassador Catherine Rosemary McIntosh underscored the significant contributions of Filipinos, who constitute one of New Zealand's largest and fastest-growing migrant communities. Filipinos serve as healthcare professionals, skilled workers, educators, and tradespeople, enriching workplaces and communities while contributing to vital sectors such as healthcare, aged care, agriculture, horticulture, construction, hospitality, and education.

Secretary Cacdac emphasized that the success of labor migration should not be measured solely by deployment numbers but by whether opportunities are decent, fair, safe, and empowering. He stressed the importance of ensuring workers can contribute to their host communities while enjoying the protection and respect they deserve, fostering harmonious relations with their employers. This commitment aims to build a labor partnership founded on mutual respect, shared responsibility, human dignity, and shared prosperity.