The Czech Republic is opening its doors to over 10,000 skilled foreign workers, with the Philippines seen as a key partner in filling this growing labor demand, especially in its transport, logistics, and technical sectors.

At the Philippine-Czech Republic Friendship Week event hosted by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in its head office in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, Czech Ambassador Karel Hejč revealed that their government has set an annual quota of over 10,000 work visas for Filipinos.

Currently, more than 11,000 Filipino workers are working and living across the Czech Republic, he said.

“The Czech Republic is a landlocked country, and the only profession we are not actively seeking is the sailors, the seamen, because we do not have a navy and we do not have access to the sea,” Hejč said.

“But besides that, we very much look for skilled workers from the blue colors, the basic professions, all the way to IT (information technology) experts that will work for one of many private companies or institutions working, let’s say, in the space industry,” he added.

The envoy said the strong demand for foreign skilled workers stems largely from the Czech Republic’s booming transportation and logistics sectors.

He said the Ministry of Transport has a particular need for drivers, public transport operators, and workers for major distribution centers in Central and Eastern Europe.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, meanwhile, said Filipino workers are highly regarded for their professionalism, adaptability, and strong work ethic.

He also cited a joint communique signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Czech Republic President Petr Pavel in 2024 that guarantees equal treatment for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) under the foreign country’s labor laws.

“This means under the scope of Czech labor laws, Filipinos will be protected, and that includes, of course, wages. And so our workers are assured of decent and minimum and working wages,” Cacdac said.

The Czech Statistical Office has reported that as of the fourth quarter of 2024, the median wage in the Czech Republic was at CZK41,739, or about Euro 1,600.

Hejč said the salary could go as high as Euro 2,000 to Euro 3,000, depending on the kind of work.

However, more than the salary, he cited other benefits such as healthcare, housing, and transportation as equally important.

“This is a win-win. The Czech Republic gains skilled, reliable workers, and the Philippines gains long-term opportunities for its people and economy,” Hejč said.

Stronger bilateral ties

Cacdac emphasized that beyond labor, the Philippine-Czech Republic Friendship Week highlights the good relationship between the two countries.

“The friendship and the harmony and the good relations that are manifested, reflected by our OFWs and their Czech employers, and of course, our OFWs being part of the Czech community in the Czech Republic,” he said.

He added the event is a celebration of all the good things between the Philippines, the OFWs, and the Czech Republic.

In terms of highlighting the government’s role, Cacdac said the partnership gears toward stronger cooperation in terms of safer, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices, including securing the welfare and protection of OFWs in the Czech Republic until their safe return to the Philippines. (PNA)