PHILIPPINES — The Department of Migrant Workers and the Croatian Employment Service officially signed the implementing guidelines on October 19, 2026, in Mandaluyong City. This major milestone establishes clear and highly structured recruitment procedures for overseas Filipino workers seeking sustainable and rewarding employment opportunities in Croatia.
Formalizing Government-to-Government Ties
The signing coincided with the second batch of the government-to-government recruitment activity. It aims to significantly improve coordination between the two nations, ensuring the smooth facilitation of job placements while strictly protecting the fundamental rights and overall welfare of all deployed Filipino workers.
Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul Jr. and CES Director General Ante Loncar formalized the agreement. The newly signed guidelines clearly outline the entire recruitment process, documentary requirements, and the specific responsibilities of both governments in terms of worker protection, ethical recruitment, and continuous monitoring.
Massive Demand for Hospitality Workers
A total of 785 job openings were made available to eager Filipino applicants, specifically targeting the rapidly growing hospitality sector. The open positions include hotel staff, chefs, waiters, and housekeeping personnel, directly reflecting the strong European demand for highly skilled, English-proficient Filipino talent in the service industry.
Over 943 shortlisted applicants gathered for the comprehensive two-day interview process. To personally evaluate the candidates, nine hotel employers from Croatia flew directly to the country. This face-to-face engagement ensures that the hiring process remains highly transparent, fair, and mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac proudly recognized the exceptional skills of Filipino workers during the formal event. He emphasized that the hospitality sector remains one of the country's core labor strengths, describing the workers as world-class professionals who continuously elevate the standard of service globally.
A Pathway to Decent Work and Security
Croatian Ambassador to the Philippines Nebojša Koharović warmly welcomed the hopeful applicants. He assured the selected workers that they would be fully integrated into Croatian communities and encouraged them to uphold the excellent reputation that Filipinos have already established in their host country over the years.
Cacdac underscored that this government-to-government arrangement provides a safe and legal pathway to overseas employment. It entirely eliminates the risks associated with illegal recruiters and ensures that labor mobility directly translates to decent work, greater security, and a significantly brighter future for all workers and their families.
Interested applicants can obtain further information regarding future recruitment batches through the official Facebook page of the DMW Pre-Employment and Government Placement Bureau. Online registration is also readily available through the official DMW portal for aspiring overseas workers to explore various international career opportunities.
