The Philippines and Oman are taking concrete steps to strengthen labor ties, with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Omani government reinforcing their shared commitment to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac welcomed top Omani officials, including Minister of Labor H.E. Mahad Bin Said Ali Baawain and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Sadr Bin Hamood Albusaidi, during a high-level meeting in Manila on July 14. The dialogue centered on enhancing ethical recruitment practices, safeguarding workers’ rights, and creating more transparent and efficient deployment processes.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the advancement of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labor Cooperation, which is targeted for signing by January 2026. The proposed agreement outlines protections for Filipino workers, including mechanisms for fair employment conditions, joint dispute resolution, and continuous monitoring through a Joint Committee.
“By forging digital partnerships with host countries like Oman, we can make recruitment faster, more transparent, and more worker-friendly,” Cacdac said. “Tech solutions can ensure every step is secure, accountable, and focused on protecting OFWs.”
Minister Baawain reaffirmed Oman’s intent to welcome more Filipino professionals into its workforce, citing demand for domestic workers, skilled technicians, port staff, and other roles.
The DMW is also expanding its reach beyond Oman, with significant efforts underway to support the 48,000-plus Filipinos working in Jordan’s caregiving, hospitality, and service sectors.
