PRESS RELEASE
WDC-18-2026
15 April 2026
Embassy Press and Information Section
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Officials of the Republic of the Philippines and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas recently held a series of meetings in Nassau to advance implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Labor Cooperation and to deepen coordination on the protection, welfare, and rights of Filipino migrant workers in The Bahamas.
The discussions were held on 31 March 2026 at the Ministry of Immigration and National Insurance and on 2 April 2026 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Philippine delegation, led by Labor Attaché Saul De Vries of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., engaged counterparts from The Bahamas’ immigration, foreign affairs, and labor authorities to align next steps on joint mechanisms and practical cooperation.
During the meetings, Bahamian officials led by Immigration and National Insurance Undersecretary Sharon Pratt-Rolle and Foreign Affairs Director General Jerusa Ali confirmed that the Cabinet has approved the composition of their representatives for the Joint Committee envisioned under the MOA. Both sides underscored the importance of convening the Joint Committee to begin implementation, address shared concerns, and strengthen labor migration governance.
Signed on 23 September 2025 by Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Frederick Mitchell on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, the MOA is expected to benefit about 2,500 Filipino workers in healthcare, finance, hospitality and other sectors in The Bahamas, and enable more efficient recruitment and deployment of these workers for Bahamian employers. Under the MOA, a Joint Committee composed of representatives from both countries, will draft implementing guidelines, help resolve disputes, propose amendments, and monitor implementation of the agreement.
In the meetings, the Philippine side highlighted key support services available to overseas Filipino workers and their families, including welfare assistance through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), housing and savings programs through the Pag-IBIG Fund, and social security services through the Social Security System (SSS). The Philippines also noted the role of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) in assisting returning workers. The Bahamas expressed interest in learning from the Philippine experience and signaled openness to technical exchanges on labor migration governance.
The delegations also discussed measures to prevent labor exploitation and human trafficking and to promote compliance in work permit processes. Bahamian officials reiterated that specialized investigative units pursue cases involving trafficking and exploitation and encouraged migrant workers who experience abuse to seek assistance and file complaints through the appropriate channels.
“These engagements reflect our shared commitment to protecting Filipino migrant workers and to making the MOA on Labor Cooperation deliver concrete, on-the-ground benefits,” said Labor Attaché De Vries. “We look forward to convening the Joint Committee and to expanding practical cooperation with our Bahamian counterparts.”
Both sides welcomed continued dialogue, including the possibility of holding the inaugural Joint Committee meeting in the Philippines to support technical briefings and agency-to-agency coordination. The Philippines also reiterated its interest in high-level engagement that would further spotlight the agreement and reinforce its objective of advancing the protection and welfare of Filipino migrant workers in The Bahamas.
The MOA on Labor Cooperation between the Philippines and The Bahamas was signed in New York on 23 September 2025 by Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Frederick A. Mitchell. It provides a framework for coordinated action to promote fair recruitment, safeguard migrant workers’ welfare, and strengthen cooperation on labor migration governance, including through the establishment of a Joint Committee.
Other Bahamas officials who attended the meeting include Immigration and National Insurance Deputy Permanent Secretary Ordette Simms, Director Stephen La Roda and Acting Deputy Director Sean Gordon of the Department of Immigration, Foreign Affairs Deputy Director General Gian Dean, Department of Labor Director Howard Thompson, Ms. Janine Gibson, Bureau Head, Human Rights and Human Security, of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Foreign Service Officer Kennedy Lightbourne.
Meanwhile, Welfare Officer Mae Codilla, Pag-IBIG Fund Acting Department Manager Atty. Eduardo Labo, Jr., SSS Representative Rigor Pantollano and former Honorary Consul Dr. Leo Ignacio composed the rest of the Philippine delegation.
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