(Photos from left) Philippine Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis- Baldoz presents a gift to Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong Vai Tac; Secretary Baldoz and Secretary Leong with the Philippine delegation consisting of  officials from DOLE, POEA, and OWWA, as well as the Consul General and Consulate General officials; Secretary Baldoz delivers her remarks during the forum with the Filipino community

07 August 2015 - Philippine Secretary for Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz conducted a three-day visit to Macau SAR to further strengthen labor cooperation between the Philippines and Macau and to assess the working conditions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the territory. Secretary Baldoz was joined by officials from  the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Philippine Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera welcomed Secretary Baldoz and her delegation to Macau. In a meeting at the Philippine Consulate General attended by Consul Pete Raymond V. Delfin and Vice Consul Ira Micheline R. Valdez, Consul General Deapera noted this was the first official visit to the Macau SAR by a Cabinet Secretary since Secretary Alberto G. Romulo visited in 2008 to open the Consulate. She expressed hopes for the success of the delegation’s official visit.

On the first day of the visit, Consul General Deapera, Consul Valdez, and Labor Attache to Macau Vivian Tornea joined Secretary Baldoz and her delegation in a meeting with Macau Secretary for Economy and Finance Hon. Lionel Leong Vai Tac on August 05.

During their meeting, Secretary Baldoz and Secretary Leong discussed ways of possible cooperation to ensure legal, fair, and transparent labor migration of OFWs to Macau.

Secretary Baldoz specifically emphasized the importance of promoting and safeguarding the rights and welfare of OFWs, particularly those of domestic workers who are considered more vulnerable.

On his part, Secretary Leong acknowledged the contributions of the Filipino workforce in Macau and expressed appreciation for the Secretary’s visit.

Both sides agreed to discuss labor matters in depth through the establishment of a technical working group which will be composed of Philippine and Macau officials from different government agencies. Both sides also agreed to continue cooperation through this consultation mechanism.

The delegation also met with a number of hotel industry executives to discuss recruitment procedures and company programs for foreign workers. A large portion of the 23,152 Filipino work-permit holders in Macau are employed in the hospitality and service industry sectors.

Secretary Baldoz capped her official visit to the Macau SAR with a forum and salu-salo for OFWs in Macau where she shared positive developments in the Philippine economy and labor sector as well as the programs that cater to Filipinos working abroad. An open forum was held where members of the Filipino community asked questions and shared their experiences and inputs. END