More overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are expected to work in Saskatchewan Province of Canada when the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippines and Canada are finalized.

The minister of the Department of Advanced Education and Employment (DAEE) Pat Atkinson of with Randy Boldt, Assistant Deputy Minister; and Heath Packman, Ministerial Assistant Saskatchewan Province of Canada visit the Philippines last September to conclude the MOA between the two countries.

The MOA seeks to promote and strengthen the areas of cooperation in the fields of labor, employment and training between Canada and Philippines.

The DAEE minister came to discuss the process of migration for Filipino workers to Saskatchewan under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).

The SINP, which operates under an agreement with the federal government, can provide an alternate and quicker means of entry into Canada. This program allows Saskatchewan to nominate applicants, who qualify under criteria established by the province, to the federal government for landed immigrant status.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Chairman Rosalinda Baldoz said that the proposed agreement will define the mechanism for the selection of employers, recruitment of Filipino workers, offers of employment, labor contracts, and training and protection of workers.

The visit includes a courtesy call on Labor Secretary Arturo D. Brion, and briefing on the programs and services of the POEA, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).