Philippines, Finland Launch Structured Cooperation On Skilled Worker Mobility

MANILA—The Philippines and Finland are strengthening bilateral cooperation in advancing the safe and fair labour mobility of Filipino professionals and skilled workers with the convening of their first Joint Committee Meeting on Skills Mobility on 17 September 2025 in Helsinki, Finland.

The Joint Committee, co-chaired by officials from both governments, aims to create pathways for ethical recruitment, skills recognition, and worker protection, while addressing Finland’s labor market needs and supporting the Philippines’ global workforce.

Discussions included the adoption of a Joint Declaration of Intent, updates on national skills mobility policies, and the exploration of a possible Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to institutionalize collaboration.

Both countries also agreed to continue dialogue and chart next steps to further strengthen the growing partnership.

The Finnish delegation included officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Finnish Immigration Service, Work in Finland, and the City of Helsinki. The Philippine delegation was led by DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson C. Alcantara and Deputy Chief of Mission Elaine Mae Laruan-Hernandez, joined by embassy and labor officials.

DMW News Release

Cover image: DMW Facebook