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Labor pact with Russia waiting for PHL nod, says envoy

The draft labor agreement that will legalize the employment and entry of Filipino workers in Russia has already been submitted to the Philippine government for approval, Moscow’s top diplomat to Manila today said.

“We hope to get the feedback from our Philippine partners as soon as possible. The Russian draft agreement on labor force cooperation is under consideration here in Manila,” Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev told a press briefing.

Once signed, the accord will open Russia’s restrictive labor market to many Filipino workers, such as engineers and household service workers.

There are around 10,000 Filipino workers in Russia, according to Philippine government figures, and majority of them do not possess work permits.

Manila and Moscow hope the labor pact would legalize their stay in Russia and open its labor market to Filipino workers in other sectors, particularly in the oil and energy sectors.

Khovaev said President Vladimir Putin assured President Rodrigo Duterte during their meeting in Moscow early this month that Filipino workers are most welcome in Russia.

“Russian people respect Filipinos because they are known as hardworking, law-abiding and nice people,” he said.

However, the envoy said the two countries must first “build a robust, legal basis” to protect the rights of employers and foreign employees.

Staff Report

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