MAKATI CITY — The governments of Germany and the Philippines are engaged in negotiations to facilitate a more efficient recruitment process for Filipino professionals, as confirmed by the German Embassy in Manila on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the German Embassy, during the Mabuhay Germany press launch, Economic Counsellor David Klebs highlighted the focus of the discussions on refining technical aspects of recruitment for sectors beyond healthcare. “We have a letter of intent formed to make an agreement and we work on this. But it's always going to be on the highest standards of recruitment, following international standards, following our German standards,” Klebs stated in an interaction with the Philippine News Agency.
The collaboration between the two nations dates back to 2013, when the Philippines joined Germany’s Triple Win project, aimed at the sustainable recruitment of nurses. An expansion of this partnership materialized in 2022 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to improve Filipino nurse recruitment practices.
The proposed agreement, still under negotiation, aims to encompass a wider array of professionals, although the specific fields have not been disclosed by Klebs due to the ongoing nature of the talks. The legal binding of the eventual agreement, whether a non-binding instrument like an MOU or otherwise, remains to be established. Regardless of its binding nature, Klebs assured that the agreement would uphold the stringent recruitment standards Germany is known for, ensuring that Filipino workers enjoy the same rights and benefits as their German counterparts, including full social insurance from the outset.
Beyond labor and human rights, the Philippines-Germany relationship extends to mutual efforts in areas such as climate change, renewable energy, education, and trade and investment. In anticipation of the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2024, both countries are also focused on bolstering bilateral trade and the synergy between Filipino and German businesses.
The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. is set to conduct the 'Mabuhay Germany' business fair from November 16 to 18 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. This three-day event, open to the public at no charge, will assemble business magnates, industry specialists, and high-ranking officials from both nations. They aim to share progress on collaborative initiatives designed to propel innovation and champion sustainable growth. The fair will cover an array of crucial issues, including ethical recruitment practices, the impact of generative AI on the BPO industry, urban resilience, and strategies for environmental conservation and effective social media marketing.