The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is pushing for a formal labor agreement with Malta to curb illegal recruitment schemes and expand ethical deployment pathways for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In a press briefing on Friday, Apr. 11, DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the proposed Bilateral Labor Agreement (BLA) seeks to institutionalize a structured and transparent hiring system aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s labor diplomacy agenda.

“This partnership aims to establish a formal labor framework that protects workers’ rights, promotes ethical recruitment, and ensures employer accountability,” Caunan said.

She noted that the BLA may include a government-to-government (G2G) hiring scheme, particularly for elderly caregiving—a sector with increasing demand in Malta due to its aging population and persistent labor shortages.

The DMW official emphasized that the agreement is anchored on building a fair, transparent, and market-responsive labor migration system that benefits both countries.

“By strengthening bilateral cooperation with Malta, we not only protect the rights of our workers but also support the strategic labor needs of our partner country,” she added.

Caunan said ongoing discussions also focus on educating employers on responsible recruitment practices and strict compliance with labor standards, particularly to prevent contract substitution and third-country hiring schemes.

The proposed labor pact is expected to complement Malta’s Labour Migration Policy, adopted in January 2025, which underscores the vital role of foreign workers—now comprising over 36 percent of its workforce—in the care, construction, hospitality, and services sectors.

More than 12,000 OFWs are currently deployed in Malta, many of whom are engaged in caregiving, domestic work, and hospitality.

The agreement aims to institutionalize worker protections while opening more secure employment opportunities for Filipino workers.