In line with the Philippine Embassy’s representations, meetings and networking with relevant Philippine authorities regarding the welfare and well-being of Filipino workers in New Zealand, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez called on Hon. Rosalinda Dimapilis- Baldoz, Secretary of Labor and Employment at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on 18 August 2014.

They discussed matters related to the status and situation of overseas Filipino workers specifically in the dairy sector and those engaged in the rebuild and reconstruction of Christchurch, measures and resources set by the New Zealand government for the protection and fair treatment of migrant workers, updates on the cooperative arrangements for the recruitment and deployment of Filipino workers similar to those being followed in developed countries’ employment of migrant workers, labour migration systems and infrastructure and collaborative pathways and mechanisms that can be implemented by the Philippines and New Zealand in accordance with the 2008 Labor Cooperation Agreement and with both countries’ pertinent labor and employment laws as well as the joint development of best practices on migrant workers’ engagement, employment and protection.

The continuing meetings of the Labor Committee of both countries and close coordination among the relevant government agencies, authorities and diplomatic representatives of the Philippines and New Zealand are stepping up concrete initiatives and making headway in this crucial area of cooperation.

Also present during Ambassador Benavidez’s call on Secretary Baldoz were Mr. Saul De Vries, Director, International Labor Affairs Bureau and Labor Attache David Des Dicang, Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary.