Croatia has opened 785 jobs for Filipino workers under a government-to-government (G2G) recruitment program, with 943 shortlisted applicants undergoing interviews on Monday and Tuesday, as the Philippines and Croatia formalized rules for hiring and worker protection.
In a social media post Monday evening, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the implementing guidelines that would establish recruitment procedures under the arrangement was signed with the Croatian Employment Service (CES) on Monday in Mandaluyong City.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the hiring program draws on the skills of Filipino workers, particularly those in the hospitality industry.
“Croatia is getting one of our core strengths in our labor market, which is workers from the hospitality sector. They are top-notch and world-class, and we are proud to say that it is you,” Cacdac told applicants.
The DMW said that nine hotel employers from Croatia joined the selection process in Mandaluyong City to interview applicants for hotel staff, chef, waiter and housekeeping positions.
DMW Undersecretary Jainal Rasul Jr. and CES Director General Ante Loncar signed the guidelines of the government-to-government recruitment activities.
Croatian Ambassador to the Philippines Nebojša Koharović assured applicants that Filipino workers hired under the program would be welcomed into Croatian communities.
“You are part of society,” Koharović told the applicants, urging them to uphold the positive reputation of Filipino workers in Croatia.
The DMW said the guidelines define the responsibilities of the two governments in the recruitment, worker protection and employment monitoring.
The arrangement aims to provide Filipinos with a legal and coordinated route to overseas employment.
“May we continue to be guided by our shared commitment to making labor mobility not only an opportunity for employment but also a pathway to decent work, greater security, and a better future for our workers and their families,” Cacdac said.
Filipinos interested in the program may register and log in through the DMW portal at https://portal.dmw.gov.ph/.
Additional information is also available on the official Facebook page of the DMW Pre-Employment and Government Placement Bureau. (PNA)
