The Philippines and Pakistan are considering the creation of a joint working body that would allow the two labor-sending countries to coordinate more closely on migrant worker protection, skills development and social welfare.
Pakistan Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain proposed forming a Joint Working Committee during talks with Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in Islamabad on September 17.
The proposed committee could provide a regular channel for the two governments to exchange practices and develop programs covering worker welfare, social protection, skills training and other migration-related concerns. Cacdac welcomed the proposal as both sides sought stronger institutional cooperation on labor migration.
The discussions took place alongside the Budapest Process Thematic Working Group Meeting on Legal Pathways for Migration, which was hosted by Pakistan.
As countries that send significant numbers of workers overseas, the Philippines and Pakistan discussed how their respective experiences could inform future cooperation. Both governments placed particular attention on migration systems that protect workers while responding to labor market requirements.
Their talks covered the need for legal migration channels to operate under fair, ethical, safe and orderly conditions, with worker rights and welfare forming part of the safeguards surrounding overseas employment.
The Islamabad meeting comes as the Philippines continues to pursue bilateral and international arrangements aimed at improving protections for Filipinos working abroad. In July, the Philippines and Canada signed their first federal bilateral labor and migration agreement, which covers legal migration pathways, fair recruitment and worker protection.
Cacdac also held separate discussions in Islamabad with Marija Raus, head of the Budapest Process Secretariat, and Golda Myra Roma, senior project manager at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development.
Those discussions included possible engagement between the ICMPD and the Philippines during the country’s chairmanship of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue from 2026 to 2028. Raus also relayed ICMPD Director General Susan Raab’s appreciation for efforts to strengthen connections with the Philippines.
Joining Cacdac during the visit were Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Emmanuel Fernandez, DMW Undersecretary Jainal Rasul Jr., Regional Director Gay Iris Tangcalagan, Vice Consul Rain Mendoza and Via Naama Mangubat.
The proposed Philippine-Pakistan committee would give both governments a dedicated platform to work on initiatives involving migrant worker protection, welfare services, social protection and skills development.
