MOU SIGNING. Department of Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac (3rd from left), and State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler (2nd from left) of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Labor and Economy sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the DMW Office in Mandaluyong Cityon Wednesday (Oct. 25) . The MOU will provide employment opportunities for Filipinos while addressing Austria’s shortage of skilled workers. (Photo courtesy of DMW)
MANILA – Austria is looking to hire 500 Filipino skilled professionals annually, especially in the fields of health care, information technology, tourism, and hospitality sectors, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Labor and Economy (BMAW), and DMW officer in charge, Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the DMW head office in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday.
During the signing, Cacdac said with the good reputation of Filipino workers abroad, he is optimistic that aside from contributing to addressing the shortage of workers in Austria, those who will be hired could share their expertise and commitment to the economic development of that country.
“Through this agreement, we aim to facilitate the deployment of Filipino professionals and skilled workers to Austria in a manner that is safe, ethical, sustainable, and mutually beneficial,” he said.
Cacdac noted that the signing of the MOU between the Philippines and Austria reaffirms the long-standing friendship between the two countries and signifies the cooperation and respect between the two countries, especially in the field of labor and employment.
With the MOU in place, he said, the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers are ensured, especially as they undergo skills assessment, education, and equivalent training and licensing in Austria.
Under the MOU, the DMW and BMAW agreed to develop a work-based vocational training framework and other technical capacity-building initiatives to upgrade the skills and expertise of Filipino workers.
Meanwhile, both the Philippines and Austria pledged to closely work together in combatting illegal recruitment and human trafficking and ensure access to legal assistance and social protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
DMW data as of 2022 estimated the OFWs in Austria at 5,824, about 1,220 of whom are employed in the hospitality and food service categories, and 749 in the health and social work service sectors.
“Austria is focusing on attracting skilled workers abroad. The Philippines is the first country which Austria has entered into a memorandum of understanding with that covers all areas of mutual cooperation on recruitment and vocational training. Austria has many decades of excellent experience with qualified workers from the Philippines, and we are truly grateful for the reliable support,” Winkler said.
Austria has 75,000 to 200,000 job openings across all industries, including the sectors of health care, construction and engineering, information technology, tourism, and hospitality. (PNA)
