Philippine, Croatian governments sign recruitment guidelines for Filipino hotel workers

The Philippine and Croatian governments signed the implementing guidelines for the safe and ethical recruitment of Filipino hotel workers in Croatia on Thursday.

Undersecretary Felicitas Bay and Croatian Employment Service Director General Ante Loncar sealed the agreement through a virtual ceremony, witnessed by Philippine Ambassador Evangelina Lourdes Bernas and Croatian Labor and Employment Director Luka Čirko.

The guidelines ensure that Croatian employers will cover recruitment-related costs for Filipino workers under permissible fees agreed upon by both parties, with a clear dispute resolution mechanism established under Philippine and Croatian labor laws.

Filipino workers will be prepared through orientation seminars conducted by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and pre-flight briefings facilitated by the Department of Migrant Workers' Pre-Employment and Government Placement Bureau.

The agreement reflects President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to expanding ethical job pathways for Filipino workers abroad, with Croatia needing over 3,000 hotel staff including housekeepers and front desk personnel.