24 June 2016 - With a boom in deployment of Filipino skilled workers particularly in the dairy and construction sectors, as well as in the number Filipino students studying in Kiwi tertiary and technical institutions, Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo recently held dialogues with OFW and labor sector stakeholders throughout the country.

While the deployment has been largely positive and mutually beneficial, there are some remaining challenges including misrepresentation and other illicit practices by unscrupulous recruiters and agents in both the Philippines and New Zealand, leading to the exploitation of a number of Filipino workers. Fortunately, the New Zealand government, labor unions and Filipino advocates have been closely and pro-actively working together to put an end to these unfortunate practices, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy.

Ambassador Domingo travelled to Dunedin from June 05 to 07, Christchurch from June 11 to 13 and to Auckland from June 11 to13. He assured the stakeholders that the Philippine Embassy in Wellington and Honorary Consulates-General in Auckland and Christchurch are committed to enhancing support of the sector’s efforts in defending the rights and welfare of Filipino Workers and in advancing labor and migration partnerships with New Zealand.

The Philippine Embassy wishes to thank our Kiwi and Pinoy friends and advocates who dialogued with the Ambassador, in particular, Philippine Consuls-General Paulo Garcia (Auckland) and Roger Bridge (Christchurch), Mayors David Ayers (Waimakariri), Angus McKay (Ashburton) and Kelvin Coe (Selwyn) and Deputy Mayor Marie Black (Hurunui) of the Canterbury Region, Mr. Dennis Maga and Ms. Mely Feria of the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) and Migrante-Aotearoa, Mr. Robert Bolanos and Mr.  Alfie Alojado Jr. of Alpha Phi Omega – NZ, Ms. Delia Richards of the Canterbury Migrants Centre, Ms. Rose Coles of the Dunedin Philippine Club Inc., and Mr. Paul Watson of First Union for their vigilance and tireless efforts in defense of our Kababayan in New Zealand. END