Croatia is actively recruiting Filipino skilled workers through a government-to-government (G2G) program with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), with the first batch of successful applicants to undergo final interview with their employers before they are deployed.
During the Philippine-Croatia Friendship Day at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the hiring of Filipino workers through a G2G program would ensure the ethical and transparent recruitment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“We’re all graced to implement that (program), which was signed last year with Minister (Marin) Piletić in Zagreb in terms of labor cooperation and understanding toward the government-to-government hiring approach to ensure the safe, ethical labor mobility of our workers for Croatia,” Cacdac said.
“We have the current hiring program already in full gear. There was a set of implementing guidelines signed a few months ago, and the first batch is set to be recruited in the next few days, and a job fair happening tomorrow (Wednesday),” he added.
Croatia welcomes Filipinos
Croatian State Secretary for Labor Ivan Vidiš lauded the contribution of Filipino workers, noting that around 16,000 Filipinos are already working and living in Croatia.
Vidiš said that Croatia, now the second fastest-growing economy in the European Union, is seeking skilled workers for its expanding hospitality, construction, healthcare, and processing industries.
He said the average monthly salary in Croatia now is around PHP97,000.
“We have a growing Filipino community in Croatia. We have around 16,000 of your compatriot citizens in Croatia right now. And I have to say that even though we are geographically far away when it comes to value, works, ethics, and mentality, We are quite similar. And this is why Filipinos are a very good fit to our Croatian society and are very, very welcome and especially appreciated as workers,” he said.
Vidiš assured that Filipino workers in Croatia are well paid and get the same treatment as Croatians. He also said hiring and deployment are safe and transparent through the G2G program.
He said this year, Croatia is projecting an increase of 3 percent in its gross domestic product (GDP), which would mean that the country would be opening about 30,000 to 40,000 new jobs.
He said aside from the tourism and construction sectors, there are other opportunities in the healthcare sector and the processing industry
Meanwhile, both Cacdac and Vidiš stressed that the G2G arrangement between the Philippines and Croatia prohibits placement fees and other recruitment charges.
“Croatian employers shoulder all recruitment and processing costs. This is a model of safe and fair migration that we aim to replicate with other partner nations,” Cacdac said.
Successful applicants
Among the first batch of 212 applicants now in their final interview with their employers set on Wednesday are Marianne Paac, a 35-year-old single mother and former OFW in Dubai, and Ryan Littaua, a 23-year-old hospitality graduate.
Paac shared that under the DMW G2G program, the hiring process is more transparent and workers are protected.
“In Dubai, my agency didn’t honor my contract. With the G2G system, I’m confident it’s fair and legitimate,” she said.
Meanwhile, Littaua expressed excitement, saying he did not expect his first job could be abroad.
He said he looks forward to starting his career in Croatia’s tourism industry and exploring the country as well.
“It’s a great opportunity to grow and experience Europe while representing Filipino hospitality,” he said.
Employers welcome Filipino talent
Martina Samac, HR representative of Adriatic Luxury Hotels, said their company is hiring about 500 seasonal workers for hotels in Dubrovnik and nearby areas.
“We’re looking for cooks, waiters, chambermaids, pool attendants, and laundry staff,” Samac said.
“Salaries range from EUR1,000 to EUR1,300, with free accommodation and meals. Filipinos are known for professionalism, and many are rehired every season.” (PNA)
