Germany to Expand Recruitment of Skilled Filipino Workers Beyond NursingPhilippines Seeks Employment Opportunities in New Zealand for Displaced Filipino Workers

MANILA – Following the recent official visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Manila, Germany has shown interest in recruiting a broader range of skilled workers from the Philippines, announced the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Germany is seeking to hire Filipino professionals beyond the nursing sector. This expansion includes electricians, electrical engineers, and various roles in the hospitality industry.

The Philippines and Germany have recently signed a ‘joint declaration of interest’ concerning the recruitment of overseas Filipino workers. This agreement aims for a ‘win-win situation’ with sustainable recruitment practices. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has outlined conditions to ensure that the recruitment drive does not lead to a labor shortage in the Philippines.

This development builds on the longstanding relationship between the two countries in the labor sector, notably the Triple Win program. Established a decade ago, this government-to-government initiative has enabled hundreds of Filipino nurses to work in Germany.

In addition to this, Germany initiated the phased implementation of its Skilled Migration Act in November, signifying its willingness to welcome more skilled workers from various fields. The German Embassy in Manila has stated that the new law offers improved incentives for Filipino skilled workers considering employment opportunities in Germany.

Furthermore, President Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit Germany on March 12, a plan announced during Baerbock’s courtesy call at Malacañan Palace in Manila last Thursday.

QUEZON CITY – The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is currently negotiating with New Zealand employers to potentially hire overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who were recently laid off due to the bankruptcy of ELE Group of Companies.

According to Philippines News Agency, As per the information shared by DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan at a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday, this initiative is in addition to the financial aid the Philippine government plans to provide to the affected OFWs from ELE Holdings Ltd., ELE Management Ltd., ELE Ltd., and Tranzport Solutions Ltd. “The financial assistance is just one thing; it’s important that our fellow Filipinos find jobs in New Zealand,” Caunan emphasized.

The DMW is actively coordinating with various New Zealand employers to assess their willingness to employ these displaced Filipino workers. Caunan disclosed that DMW would be distributing approximately 1,050 New Zealand dollars (around PHP36,800) to each affected OFW. About 107 eligible recipients have already received this aid, while the agency is processing financial assistance for an additional 345 workers.

Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Kira Christianne Azucena, having met some of the laid-off workers, affirmed that the financial assistance represents the Philippine Government’s dedication to the welfare of Filipinos overseas, especially those facing hardship.

The shutdown of ELE Group of Companies, which took effect shortly before the Christmas holidays, impacted over 500 Filipino workers in New Zealand. These individuals held both work and resident visas. According to the Philippine Embassy in Wellington, Filipinos with work visas are eligible to seek new employment under New Zealand’s regulations, although the process could take around two months.