The Department of Migrant Workers announced on Wednesday its goal to deploy Filipinos to Austria during the signing of an agreement governing the recruitment of Filipino professionals and skilled workers in the healthcare, information technology, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

The Memorandum of Understanding was led by DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac and State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Labor and Economy (BMAW). The signed MOA will provide employment opportunities for Filipinos while addressing Austria's shortage of skilled workers.

"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. Our workers, in return, will contribute to addressing the labor shortage in Austria and to sharing their expertise and commitment to the economic development of Austria," Cacdac said.

According to Kraus-Winkler, Austria had an excellent experience with qualified workers from the Philippines.

"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," Kraus-Winkler said.

Cacdac added the partnership reaffirms the long-standing friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect between the Philippines and Austria, particularly in the field of labor and employment.

Under the agreement around 500 Filipino workers will be deployed annually to meet Austria's demand of around 75,000 to 200,000 job openings across all industries, including sectors of healthcare, construction and engineering, information technology, and tourism and hospitality.

The MOU guarantees heightened protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers, as well as assistance while they undergo skills assessment, education, and equivalence training and licensing in Austria.
The DMW and BMAW also committed to developing a framework for work-based vocational training and other measures to increase technical capacity to upgrade the skills and expertise of Filipino workers.

Both countries vowed to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking as well as ensure adequate access to legal assistance and social protection for OFWs.