Czech Republic, PH sign deal on labor consultations mechanism

PRAGUE — The Philippines and the Czech Republic have inked a deal to establish a labor consultations mechanism aimed at elevating the two countries’ cooperation on the safe and orderly migration and higher protection for overseas Filipino workers here.

President Marcos and Czech President Petr Pavel announced the signing of the joint communique on the labor consultations mechanism in a joint press conference they held after their tête-à-tête and bilateral meeting on Thursday morning.

“President Pavel and I witnessed the signing of the joint communique to establish a labor consultations mechanism between the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers and the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs,” the President said.

The mechanism — aimed at protecting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and ensuring their safe and orderly migration to the Czech Republic — is expected to benefit around 7,026 Filipinos working here in industries like processing, automotive, appliance repairs, manufacturing, information technology, real estate, health and wellness, and household service work.

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Prague is home to the largest number of Filipinos in the Czech Republic at 1,511, followed by South Moravia at 1,242, and Central Bohemia at 905.

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Even before the President flew to Central Europe early this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the signing of the joint communique to promote OFWs’ welfare would be one of the highlights of Marcos’ three-day state visit to Prague upon Pavel’s invitation.

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The President also cited the Czech Republic’s announcement that it increased the number of quota of OFWs allowed to enter the land-locked nation each year — from 5,500 OFWs in January this year to 10,300 starting this May.

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For his part, Pavel also “appreciated” the signing of the joint communique for the labor consultations mechanism, especially since the Philippines was a top source of highly skilled workers.

“As we all know, the labor market in the Czech Republic suffers from shortage in the workforce, and the Philippines ranked among the top countries that send top, qualified, highly-skilled workers to us, and I’m glad that the Philippines is interested in upskilling,” he said.

He stressed that OFWs should also have equal standing and rights as other workers in the Czech Republic.

“We also worked on legal mechanisms that would facilitate the work of such workers in our country. They also have to enjoy equal standing and protection of rights just like all others,” Pavel said.

Reaffirmation of commitment

For its part, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the joint communiqué will ensure the “observance of rights of Filipino workers” and will be mutually beneficial for the Filipino workers and their Czech employers.

“The Joint Communiqué reaffirms the commitment of both nations to nurture a relationship grounded in the recognition of the rights and duties of Filipino workers and their employers in the Czech Republic,” the DMW said in a statement Friday (Manila time).

“It seeks to ensure the full observance of the rights of Filipino workers following Czech legal standards while also respecting the interests and laws of both countries,” it added.

“This agreement signifies a major stride forward in the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, representing their shared dedication to promoting the welfare and rights of Filipino workers abroad,” the DMW further said. The DMW likewise mentioned that the Czech Republic’s cabinet also approved the proposal to increase quotas for foreign workers. It noted that Czech Republic’s quota for Filipinos who want to obtain business visas or employment cards was increased from 5,000 to 10,300.