The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday announced that it will open a desk in the agency's Office of the Secretary in Japan to assist the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
The announcement comes after Migrant Workers Susan 'Toots' Ople, one of the delegations of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. in his working visit to Japan, convene with 80 Japanese employers in a consultation meeting.
In a statement, the DMW said the creation of the Japan desk was its response to the request of Japanese employers of hiring more OFWs.
"Because of the positive feedback and in response to the request of Japanese employers for more skilled workers, Secretary Ople said that a Japan desk will be established in the Office of the Secretary to fast-track the needs of both Japanese employers and Filipino trainees," it said.
According to DMW, most of the employers told Ople that Filipinos are "highly reliable and trainable" and they "brightened up their workplaces."
The agency also said that Ople had a dialogue with workers who are under the Technical Program (TITP) and Special Skilled Worker (SSW) programs.
Filipino workers likewise shared that they "are being treated well" and that "they would prefer to continue to work in Japan if allowed to by the Japanese government and their employers."
Ople said they want the Philippines to continue building "stronger relations" with Japanese employers as well as the Japanese government.
"So that the Philippines can be the number one source of skilled workers in Japan," she added.
