Philippines, Pakistan Explore Joint Mechanism on Labor Migration Cooperation
Manila, The Gulf Observer: The Philippines and Pakistan are exploring the establishment of a joint mechanism to strengthen bilateral cooperation on labor migration, skills development and the protection of migrant workers.
The development followed a meeting between Philippines Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Pakistan Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Thursday, held on the sidelines of the Budapest Process Thematic Working Group Meeting on Legal Pathways for Migration in Islamabad, according to a DMW social media post issued Friday.
The DMW said the meeting provided the two countries with an opportunity to identify common areas of interest and practical avenues for enhancing institutional cooperation in labor migration.
The two officials underscored the importance of ensuring that migration pathways are accessible and responsive to labor market requirements while remaining fair, ethical, safe, orderly and sustainable, with the rights and welfare of migrant workers placed at the center.
During the meeting, Minister Hussain proposed establishing a Joint Working Committee to provide the Philippines and Pakistan with a regular platform to discuss labor migration issues, exchange best practices and develop joint initiatives.
Secretary Cacdac welcomed the proposal, which could encompass cooperation in migrant worker protection, skills development, social protection and welfare services.
The officials also stressed the importance of developing migration pathways that meet labor market needs while ensuring fair treatment and protection of migrant workers throughout the migration process.
Separately, Cacdac met with Marija Raus, Head of the Budapest Process Secretariat, and Golda Myra Roma, Senior Project Manager at the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).
Raus conveyed ICMPD Director General Susan Raab’s appreciation for the Philippines’ interest in strengthening engagement with the organization in its capacity as chair of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue for 2026.
