The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to protecting and empowering migrant workers during the 3rd Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Jan. 26 to 27.

In a social media post Tuesday, the DMW said the summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), brought together labor ministers, senior government officials and international organizations from 120 countries to tackle urgent labor market challenges, emerging trends and policy innovations shaping the future of work.

During the event, Cacdac underscored the growing importance of investing in people and partnerships.

“Skills development and sustained dialogue are no longer optional; they are essential,” Cacdac told participants.

He said the Philippines remains committed to promoting policies that protect the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers while advancing skills development, upskilling, human dignity and decent work for all, including domestic workers.

The two-day summit focused on aligning employment policies with future workforce readiness, identifying the most effective drivers of successful employment programs, and strengthening coherence and integration across labor market policies.

The discussion concluded with participating ministers agreeing on six priority actions including strengthening skills recognition and portability to enable mobility across sectors and borders; guiding the responsible use of artificial intelligence in labor market systems through transparent governance and oversight; adapting social protection systems to support mobility and career transitions; strengthening the use of data and analytics to improve job matching and skills development; advancing workforce planning to anticipate economic disruptions and structural shifts; and improving pathways to first employment and re-entry into the labor market. (PNA)