The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) opened the Philippine-Finland Friendship Week on Tuesday to celebrate and strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.
During the event in Mandaluyong City, DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay said the event not only highlights the strong diplomatic relations between Manila and Helsinki, but also helps maintain the friendship and cultural relations, noting that both countries are finalizing a new bilateral labor agreement centered on ethical recruitment and skills development.
She said the two countries recently signed a joint declaration of intent to promote fair, ethical, and sustainable labor mobility, ensuring that Filipino workers enjoy proper protection, dignity, and competitive salaries, depending on their skills and experience.
Tutay said a detailed agreement that outlines pilot areas of cooperation will soon be signed and implemented by both countries, strengthening Finland’s labor force for its healthcare, information technology, service and retail sectors, while providing detailed employment for our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
She said the partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when two countries, despite the distance, work together, with mutual trust, respect, and with a shared vision of conducive growth and human-centered development.
“It reflects our collective aspiration to build opportunities that uplift lives, strengthen our communities, and promote well-being and happiness not only as national goals but as universal values. For us, the northern lights of Finland shine as a beacon of opportunities where the glow, warmth and talents of our OFWs are given a chance to shine,” Tutay said.
In her speech, Finnish Ambassador to the Philippines Saija Nurminen noted how Filipino workers contribute to the workforce and to the economy of Finland.
She added that Finland sees the Philippines as a key partner and an ideal source of hardworking, adaptable workers.
“From the Finnish perspective, the Philippines is known for many admirable things, sunlight, music, resilience and joy. But perhaps the most remarkable contribution of the Philippines to the world, and to Finland, and as to why we are here today, is its people,” Nurminen said.
Tutay said that there are currently over 16,000 Filipinos in Finland, with 11,500 deployed in 2024 alone.
As part of the friendship week, the DMW will spearhead a mega jobs fair on Wednesday at the SM Megamall, featuring six accredited agencies interested in hiring welders, machinists, factory workers, cleaners, and other technical roles.
The DMW advised interested applicants to register online to obtain a Job Fair Pass/QR Code for easier access. (PNA)