Mandaluyong City – -The strengthening bond between the Philippines and the Republic of Croatia reached a new height with the formal inauguration of the Philippines–Croatia Friendship Week and the simultaneous launch of a Government-to-Government (G2G) pilot hiring program by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). This landmark initiative is designed to establish a safer, more ethical, and completely transparent recruitment channel, fulfilling the shared vision of both nations to foster a labor environment built on dignity and mutual benefit for Filipino workers.
The collaborative spirit was on full display at the DMW Lobby in Mandaluyong City, where DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac presided over the launch. He was joined by a high-level Croatian delegation, including Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman and State Secretary Ivan Vidiš of the Ministry of Labor, alongside Philippine Ambassador to Croatia Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas. The presence of these dignitaries underscored the strategic importance and high-level endorsement of this enhanced bilateral partnership.
A significant immediate benefit of the G2G pilot program is the creation of 435 initial job openings specifically tailored for Filipino professionals within Croatia’s dynamic hospitality sector. This opportunity directly stems from the Memorandum of Cooperation that was ratified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in January 2025. This government-led framework is crucial for bypassing unethical third-party recruitment schemes, ensuring that workers are protected and their employment terms are fair and legally sound from the start.
Secretary Cacdac extended his sincere appreciation to the Croatian government for their unwavering trust in the Filipino workforce. He highlighted the already significant presence of approximately 12,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) excelling in Croatia, Slovenia, and Slovakia, particularly within the hospitality, construction, and service industries. “This program is a testament to the world’s recognition of the unparalleled skill, professionalism, and dedication of the Filipino worker,” he remarked, emphasizing that these workers are truly the nation’s ambassadors of goodwill and expertise.
Looking forward, the DMW affirmed its deep-seated commitment to not only nurture its relationship with Croatia but also to aggressively pursue similar ethical, state-to-state agreements with other receiving countries. The department views this G2G framework as the gold standard for global deployment, ensuring that every Filipino who works abroad does so with maximum protection, fair compensation, and respect, reinforcing the Philippines’ reputation as a reliable source of world-class human capital.--Cali Demi
