The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has deepened its collaboration with Hungarian partners and even the Philippine Embassy there, in an effort to strengthen the protection, welfare, and labor mobility of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hungary and neighboring countries.

In a news release Thursday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said a courtesy visit to Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Maria Elena Algabre reaffirmed the government’s One Country Team Approach in delivering seamless, coordinated, and people-centered services to OFWs abroad, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Secretary Cacdac expressed his gratitude for the embassy’s strong partnership and proactive coordination in addressing the needs of Filipino workers in Hungary and neighboring countries,” the DMW said.

“Ambassador Algabre, in turn, reaffirmed the Embassy’s dedication to working closely with the DMW and other agencies to provide responsive, well-coordinated, and people-centered services to Filipinos across the region,” it added.

After the courtesy call, Cacdac also met with representatives of the Association for Central European Employment of Overseas Filipino Workers (ACE) and discussed ways to improve ethical recruitment, strengthen worker welfare, and expand opportunities.

Also addressed were initiatives to enhance and develop the skills and capabilities of OFWs, including their overall well-being.

Both parties committed to conducting joint training initiatives, including Capacity and Enhancement Training for Welfare Desk Officers.

Collaborations will also be done for Hungarian and Filipino coordinators of ACE member companies involved in recruitment, deployment, and welfare support for OFWs.

“These engagements demonstrate the DMW’s continued commitment to forging strategic partnerships and promoting ethical, transparent, and sustainable employment practices that uphold Filipino workers’ dignity while addressing the needs of responsible employers abroad,” Cacdac said.

Joining him in the meeting were Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Undersecretary Jainal Rasul Jr., Assistant Secretary Julyn Ambito-Fermin, Labor Attaché Joan Lourdes Lavila, Welfare Officer Christelyn Caceres, OIC-Chief Cleobelle Romero, and Kenji Riordan Lavila.

ACE was represented by Board President Adrian Farkas, Endre Kovacs, and Daniel Horvath of ProHuman Group, along with embassy officials Consul General Jeffrey Salik and Vice Consul John Phillipe Arjona.

In September, the DMW opened two new satellite offices in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria, amid the growing population of Filipino migrant workers.

The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Vienna will cater to about 8,000 OFWs in Austria, and approximately 12,000 OFWs in Croatia, Slovenia, and Slovakia.

Meanwhile, MWO-Budapest’s jurisdiction includes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Moldova, and Montenegro, with the presence of 5,373 OFWs. (PNA)