MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the government of Oman are taking significant steps to strengthen their labor cooperation aimed at enhancing the welfare and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including opening up more employment opportunities in the Gulf state.
In a news release Monday evening, the DMW said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac met with Omani Minister of Labor Mahad Bin Said Ali Baawain and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Sadr Bin Hamood Albusaidi in Mandaluyong City.
Discussions during the meeting focused on joint initiatives for safer, more ethical recruitment and fair treatment of Filipino workers in Oman.
“A key highlight of the meeting was the pending Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labor Cooperation, set to be signed by January 2026,” the DMW said.
“The MOU establishes safeguards for Filipino workers through ethical recruitment standards, fair employment terms, joint dispute resolution mechanisms, and regular monitoring through a bilateral Joint Committee,” it added.
Meanwhile, Baawain said Oman is opening up more job opportunities for Filipino workers as it actively seeks household workers, technicians, port staff, and other skilled professionals.
Cacdac said beyond Oman, the DMW continues to expand opportunities and protections for Filipinos across the Middle East, citing Jordan, with over 48,000 OFWs employed in the caregiving, hospitality, beauty services, and food service industries.
He also underscored the importance of leveraging technology to make the deployment process more efficient and secure.
“By forging digital partnerships with host countries like Oman, we can make recruitment faster, more transparent, and more worker-friendly. Tech solutions can ensure every step is secure, accountable, and focused on protecting OFWs,” Cacdac said. (PNA)By: Marita Moaje