Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac met with Malaysian Human Resources Minister YB Dato Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan in Kuala Lumpur on July 30 to strengthen bilateral labor cooperation and advance regional initiatives protecting migrant workers.
During the meeting, Cacdac outlined the Philippines’ priorities for the upcoming ASEAN Summit, including the promotion of fair, ethical, and sustainable labor migration across the region.
He also thanked Malaysia for supporting the proposed ASEAN Declaration on Fair, Ethical, and Sustainable Recruitment for Empowered Migrant Workers and Their Families, which is expected to be adopted during the ASEAN Summit in Manila this October.
The two officials exchanged views on policies designed to protect migrant workers.
Ramanan provided updates on Malaysia’s foreign worker hiring policies, including social security coverage, while Cacdac discussed the Philippines’ recruitment and protection framework for overseas Filipino workers.
The meeting also explored ways to deepen cooperation under the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, a regional labor migration forum currently chaired by the Philippines.
Cacdac was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador Maria Angela Abrera Ponce, Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul Jr., Labor Attaché Jocelyn Ortega, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Roussel R. Reyes, Assistant Labor Attaché Oliva B. Macawili, and Senior Labor and Employment Officer Ma. Anna Katerina C. Fulgencio.