The Philippines and the Czech Republic on Thursday signed the Joint Communique on Labor Consultations Mechanism which aims to protect Filipino workers' rights and well-being in the Central European Country.
The labor pact was signed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s bilateral meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague Castle.
In a joint press statement with Pavel, Marcos welcomed the signing of the agreement and assured its cooperation with the Czech Republic in boosting its quota for Filipino workers this year.
“We are ready to cooperate in ensuring the orderly deployment of Filipinos to your country, in accordance with both Czech and Philippine laws," the President said.
DMW proposed the signing of the PH-CZ Joint Communique on Labor Consultations Mechanism to tackle labor issues and for more organized deployment of Filipino workers.
Given the increasing demand for Filipino workers, DMW deemed it necessary for the Philippines and the Czech Republic to enter into a labor agreement, aimed at an orderly deployment; outlining the rights and responsibilities of both participants; and ensuring that recruitment is implemented fairly and ethically.
As of December 31, 2023, the number of estimated Filipinos in the Czech Republic is 7,026 based on data from the Czech Ministry of Interior.
The Filipino workers there are engaged in the Czech Republic’s processing industry, automotive, repairs of appliances, manufacturing, IT communications, real estate, health/wellness, and household service work.
Per current figures, Prague remains to host the highest number of Filipinos in the Czech Republic with 1,511; followed by South Moravia with 1,242; Central Bohemia, 905; and many other jurisdictions.
