The Department of Labor and Employment recently signed a labor cooperation agreement with Canada, which would open more employment opportunities to Filipino workers soon.
Canada’s Minister Ranj Pillai and Philippine’s Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with regards to the employment and protection of Filipino workers last March 18.
“The Memorandum of Understanding that we are signing not only strengthens our bilateral labor relations but will also enhance our cooperation in the protection, recruitment, and deployment of Filipino workers in Yukon,” says Bello last Sunday.
The said agreement is aiming to facilitate the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers to Canada under the Yukon Nominee Program. This program is facilitated by employers who are looking to fill critical job vacancies that are yet to be occupied by permanent or Canadian residents.
This MOU has been implemented by Yukon’s Department of Economic Development and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Furthermore, the agreement mandates that “employers and their agents, including immigration consultants, are prohibited from charging any fees for recruitment services and selection.”
The negotiation of this MOU started in 2019.
“It has been almost three years since we’ve met and signed the Philippines-Yukon Joint Communiqué in Whitehorse, Yukon. The Joint Communiqué paved the way for the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines and Yukon on the Employment and Protection of Filipinos under the Yukon Nominee Program,” says Bello.
The screening program will happen soon after the implementing guideline gets approved by the Joint Working Committee through the mandate of Consul General Maria Andrelita Austria, Vancouver Labor Attache Jainal Rasul Jr., and Deputy Consul General Arlene Magno.
Currently, there are approximately 5,000 Filipinos in Yukon who are mostly Canadian citizens or permanent resident visa holders.
