The Philippines and South Korea have pledged to strengthen protections for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) while deepening labor and bilateral cooperation.

At the Philippines – Republic of Korea Friendship Week celebration held at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, in his video message, recognized many stories of Filipinos and Koreans through migration, cooperation, and cultural exchange, as the two nations mark their 77 years of diplomatic relations.

“As captured in the book bio, Stories of Migration, these remind us that beyond policies and programs are real people, real journeys, real relationships, and shared dreams and aspirations,” he said.

“We continue to strengthen our collaboration with the Republic of Korea in advancing the welfare and protection of Filipino migrant workers and their harmonious relations with Korean employers.”

Cacdac and other key DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) officials were not able to attend the event in person due to the Senate inquiry on the OFWs’ situation in the Middle East conflict.

South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa, meanwhile, underscored that people-to-people exchanges remain central to the partnership between the two countries, adding that the Friendship Week celebration also marks a meaningful milestone in their bilateral relations.

He emphasized the timeliness of the event as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung recently concluded his state visit to the Philippines and bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

He noted that both President Lee and President Marcos expressed satisfaction with the encouraging progress in bilateral investment and trade.

“At the same time, they showed a deep recognition that behind all these shining achievements, the most important driving force has been the vibrant exchange between the peoples of our two countries,” he said.

He also cited the meeting that transpired between President Lee and a former OFW in South Korea, Ariel Galak, whom the President helped when he was still a lawyer more than 30 years ago.

“During the recent state visit, when President Lee Jae-myung met Mr. Ariel Galak, an overseas Filipino worker who had once worked in Korea back in 1992, while employed at a factory in Korea, Mr. Galak suffered an unfortunate accident and returned to the Philippines without receiving proper compensation. At that time, President Lee, then a young human rights advocate lawyer, helped Mr. Galak secure the industrial accident compensation he deserved,” Lee said.

“Their recent meeting was a powerful reminder of our President’s longstanding and heartfelt concern for the human rights, workplace safety, and occupational health of all workers, both Korean and foreign.”

He said since 2004, more than 100,000 Filipinos have entered South Korea through the Employment Permit System (EPS), describing them as “true goodwill ambassadors” of bilateral relations.

Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Bernadette Therese Fernandez, in her message, said both governments are working to address shortcomings in worker protection mechanisms, acknowledging that “it is not a perfect system.”

“We wish to assure the public that the Embassy of the Philippines and all relevant agencies will not permit these unintended circumstances or cases to continue,” she said.

She emphasized that Manila and Seoul will pursue stronger cooperation to improve conditions for every Filipino worker in South Korea.

DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay underscored the department’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, welfare, and dignity of OFWs, while noting that beyond labor collaboration, the bilateral partnership between the Philippines and South Korea continues to expand across broader areas of engagement, including education, innovation, cultural exchange, and economic development.

“As we celebrate the Philippine-Korea Friendship Week, we reaffirm our collective commitment to nurturing a partnership that continues to promote prosperity, dignity for workers, and a deeper understanding between our people,” Bay said.

She also noted that OFWs serve as living bridges of friendship between the Filipino and Korean people through their professionalism, resilience, and hard work. (PNA)