The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have committed to promoting gender sensitivity among migrant workers and in preparing the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on the global effects of climate change.
During the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, Oct. 18, DMW Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople and IOM Deputy Director-General Amy Pope vowed to strengthen the relationship of the two agencies in advancing the welfare, rights, and betterment of Filipino migrant workers.
Ople said they discussed with the IOM three possible areas of cooperation, the first is the ongoing discussion about the impact of climate change on foreign workers and their families.
The IOM and DMW have formulated some plans for intersections between climate change and migration that would need extensive discussion.
Ople said they will tackle with IOM executives the intensive impact of climate change on global migration in November.
The second issue area of cooperation discussed was on the issue of aging population and the eluding impact of labor shortage in the world that have resulted in huge demand for job orders for OFWs.
Ople said they also sought the help of IOM in formulating and developing gender-responsive policies.
"Gender sensitivity training of overseas personnel is a top priority of DMW," Ople said.