THE DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS (DMW) LAUNCHES THE EMPLOYMENT FACILITATION DESK FOR JAPAN (JAPAN DESK) IN WESTERN JAPAN

On 22 November 2023, the Department of Migrant Workers launched in Osaka the Japan Employment Facilitation Desk, or Japan Desk, the first of its kind in the history of the Philippines’ Overseas Employment Program.

DMW OIC Hans Leo J. Cacdac delivered the opening address and emphasized Japan’s special and strong labor market partnership with the Philippines, and its “safe, stable, straightforward, stringent labor laws and regulations”.  OIC Cacdac, however, noted that “the Philippines has lost its foothold as a leading source of foreign workers” in the Japanese labor market, thus necessitating the Japan Desk, an initiative that was promised by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself in his first State of the Nation address and during the official visit to Japan in February this year.  He expressed that the Japan Desk would bridge the gaps and facilitate meaningful connections between the parties, and is committed to deliver its functions and services with “utmost dedication and efficiency.

The Philippine Consul General to Osaka, the Hon. Voltaire Mauricio, welcomed the guests and the attendees of the event and Osaka Labor Attache Elizabeth Marie R. Estrada recognized the presence of the employers and principals, supervising and registered support organization representatives, the Filipino workers, and the representatives of the Philippine requirement agencies (PRAs).

Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan then explained the features of the Japan Desk, a specialized coordinating body in the Department which monitors the deployment and return of migrant workers in Japan; enforces and facilitates compliance with the specially-prescribed timeframes for actions on Japanese documents, processes and concerns; serves as the focal unit for Japan concerns, and recommends rewards and incentives for Japanese principals and employers, Japan-registered vessels and licensed PRAs and manning agencies.

H.E. Ambassador Shigeo Matsutomi, Senior Vice-President of the Japan International Trainee and Skill Worker Cooperation Organization (JITCO) delivered his response, as he reminisced about the late Sec. Toots Ople’s promise to establish the Japan Desk.  He pointed out that while the Philippines does not promote overseas employment, the Japan Desk is “not promotion, but facilitation for a higher standard of norms and procedures.  This is a delicate process and this is a very bold move.  He then continued that the timing of the Japan Desk coincides with the Japanese government’s deliberations and review of a new system, Skilled Developing Worker Program; he cited the data showing the reduction of Filipino workers entering Japan; and he noted that the opening of the Japan Desk is a reconfirmation of the Philippines’ strong determination to send their workers to Japan.  He welcomes this development and looks forward to stronger bilateral relations between the two countries.