MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday welcomed the government of Czech Republic’s decision to increase the quota for Filipino workers entering their country starting in May 2024.

“I took note of the Czech Republic’s announcement that you have increased the quota for Filipino workers from 5,500 to almost double that from January 2024 to 10,300 per year starting in May of 2024,” President Marcos said in his address during a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel.

The Czech Republic is second home to 7,026 Filipinos working in the processing industry, automotive, repairs and appliances, manufacturing, IT communications, real estate, health/wellness, and household service work.

Started in 2018, Czech’s economic migration program allows for the entry and stay of Filipino workers in the country on a year quota: 1,000 Filipino workers per year from 2018; 2,000 per year from 2021; 2,500 per year from November 2022; and 5,500 per year from January 2024.

The Czech government announced the further increase in the quota for Filipino workers as follows: 5,500 per year beginning January 2024 and 10,300 per year beginning May 2024 – more than 900 percent increase from the initial quota of 1,000 per year in 2018.

On the same day, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of the Joint Communique on Labor Consultations Mechanism, putting in place a mechanism to discuss areas of mutual interests, including on the proper procedure in employing Filipino citizens in the Czech Republic.

The mechanism was signed between the Department of Migrant Workers and the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. (PND)