Malta, Albania keen to forge bilateral labor deal with PH

MANILA – Malta and Albania are interested to forge a bilateral labor agreement (BLA) with the Philippines, with talks already in their early stages.

The Philippine Embassy in Italy, which has concurrent jurisdiction over Malta and Albania, said it plans to recommend to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) the proposal given the number of Filipinos working in the two countries.

In a text message on Friday, Philippine Ambassador Neal Imperial said a possible labor deal with the two states would not only address their labor shortages but also protect the rights of overseas Filipino workers.

“The Philippines’ paramount consideration has always been the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of our overseas Filipino workers,” he said.

“Therefore, any BLA signed with another country must have provisions that adequately ensure the well-being of our OFWs and protect them from possible abuses,” he added.

The Philippines proposed a BLA with Malta first considering that several OFWs there were hired from third countries, making them susceptible to illegal recruitment and labor trafficking.

“In the embassy’s high-level meetings with officials of the government of Malta, the latter expressed their openness to the idea of negotiating a BLA,” Imperial said.

Albania, meanwhile, expressed interest in signing a BLA with the country amid its labor shortage brought about by a boom in its tourism sector.

Albania’s idea is for the government to mediate between businesses, employers and potential migrant workers to ensure that the rights of both parties are protected.

Imperial said the embassy expected to receive a proposed draft of the labor deal with Albania “in the coming days” while talks with Malta are still in the initial stages.

Workers in the tourism and service sectors, including hotels, restaurants, and spas are in demand in Albania.

The employment opportunities available in Malta, meanwhile, are jobs in accounting, information and technology, tourism and retail, and caregivers.

Albania hosts at least 400 OFWs while around 10,000 are working in Malta as accountants, engineers, managers, chefs, hotel staff, entrepreneurs, bus drivers, nurses, and caregivers, Imperial said.

Imperial discussed forging stronger labor and economic relations with the two European countries when he presented his credentials to Malta President George Vella and Albania President Bajram Begaj this month. — Joyce Ann L. Rocamora (PNA)