Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Nova Scotia Minister of Advanced Education Brendan Maguire sign a labor cooperation framework at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City on June 9, 2025, to promote ethical recruitment and align Filipino workers’ skills with Nova Scotia’s labor market needs, witnessed by officials from both sides.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the province of Nova Scotia in Canada have formalized a framework that promotes ethical recruitment and aligns Filipino workers’ skills with the province’s labor market requirements.

Memorandum of Understanding

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Nova Scotia Minister of Advanced Education Brendan Maguire signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Jun. 9 at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City.

“This agreement is a testament to our shared commitment to deepen bilateral ties and promote a labor migration system grounded in dignity, fairness, and opportunity,” Cacdac said, adding that both parties seek to establish a sustainable, people-centered mobility framework.

The MOU outlines provisions for ethical recruitment, pre-deployment and technical training through institutions such as TESDA, PGH, and UP Manila, and reintegration support for returning workers.

Labor Market Needs

Maguire recognized the dedication of Filipino workers in Canada and said 58 percent of job orders from Nova Scotia are in the healthcare sector, followed by skilled trades, including carpentry and construction.

An initial batch of 120 workers is covered under the framework, with 42 job orders already confirmed and more expected in the coming years.

Collaboration and Deployment

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed support for the initiative, with Assistant Secretary Jose Victor John Gonzaga calling it a “new era of collaboration” between the Philippines and Nova Scotia.

The agreement builds on a Joint Declaration of Intent signed in February 2024 in Taguig City, which laid the groundwork for stronger labor cooperation.

As of June 2025, a total of 3,012 Filipino workers have been deployed to Canada through private recruitment agencies, while 151 were hired directly.

The signing was witnessed by officials from the DMW, DFA, OWWA, and the Canadian Embassy, including OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan and DMW Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia.

Source: Manila Bulletin.