[Top photo: (L-R) DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson S. Alcantara, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, Israel Economic Mission to the Philippines Attache Ofek Venecianer. Photo credit: Minister of Economy and Industry Communication]
As part of a political-economic visit to Manila, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat met with Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac yesterday, July 29.
During the meeting, the officials discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of employment and the economy, with an emphasis on expanding the employment of Filipino workers in Israel in areas under the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy – including industry, trade, services, and restaurants.
Minister Barkat emphasized that the State of Israel considers the Philippines a strategic partner, and that there is an intention to expand the scope of employment of foreign workers accompanied by a policy of fair and competitive costs, out of national responsibility, human sensitivity, and economic and business thinking.
The officials also discussed the possibility of promoting a new bilateral agreement between the countries, which would regulate the process of recruiting workers and ensure transparency, fair conditions and oversight mechanisms for the benefit of all parties – workers, employers, and countries.
“Together, we will build partnership models that will strengthen both the Israeli economy and the strong and deep connection between the State of Israel and the Republic of the Philippines,” Minister Barkat added.
