Manila: Angela, 31, a registered Filipina nurse, worked in the Middle East for five years.
Then she found a job posting in Germany. Her move to Munich, however, was not a walk in the park. She had to take classes in German language and pass a proficiency test. Upon hurdling it, she moved with her husband, also an overseas Filipino worker then working in Singapore, to Munich.
They’re now expecting their first baby. In recent years, Germany hired around 6,000 Filipino nurses, according to the German Embassy in Manila.
Job offers
Now, officials from at least two European countries have expressed keen interest to counterparts in Manila to hire Filipinos skilled workers, in addition to nurses.
On Saturday (January 13) during a forum, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Patricia Caunan also revealed Germany's interest in recruiting skilled Filipino workers – beyond nurses.
Joint declaration of interest
Germany has recently signed “joint declaration of interest” during the official visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Manila. The top German diplomat highlighted the need for various skilled workers, including electricians and engineers, in her country.
Germany’s updated Skilled Immigration Act facilitates the immigration process for skilled workers outside the EU.
Additionally, a courtesy call from Slovenia's Secretary General Renata Cvelbar Bek to DMW signals discussions on a bilateral labor agreement, aiming to enhance the safe and fair mobility of OFWs to Slovenia, potentially opening more employment opportunities.
Slovenia jobs
On January 12, 2024, during a courtesy call at the DMW Office in Mandaluyong City, Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Renata Cvelbar Bek met Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan to discuss a possible bilateral labour agreement for the safe and fair mobilisation of OFWs to Slovenia.
The proposed bilateral agreement would be the first labour cooperation between Philippines and Slovenia.
This initiative is poised to create fresh job prospects, safeguard worker rights, and encourage ethical recruitment practices, officials said.
