EU provides training for Phl diplomats on immigration policies

MANILA, Philippines - To prevent prospective Filipino immigrants to Europe from falling victims to illegal recruiters, the European Union (EU) has provided training for Philippine diplomats in EU immigration policies and procedures.

Fifteen labor and welfare attachés posted in European states took part in the three-day workshop.

The workshop, which was part of an EU funded support program for the Philippine government, was held in Vienna from May 15-17.

In a statement, EU head of delegation Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the training in the practical implementation of EU policies on migration and human trafficking was another sign of closer cooperation between the EU and the Philippines.

The workshop gave the participants a thorough overview of the EU’s policy framework in the area of migration and human trafficking. It was aimed at equipping the Philippine embassy staff in Austria, Spain, Italy, Greece/Cyprus, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Belgium with increased capacities for the practical implementation of EU rules on immigration.

It was the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which requested for the holding of the training.

“We are grateful to the European Union for extending this training, which we think is an excellent opportunity to further enhance our cooperation in the migration field. Since the training is focused on the concrete application of the existing EU rules, it will increase the capacity of our embassy staff in their daily work of assisting Filipino citizens living in, or intending to migrate to Europe,” said POEA director Melchor Dizon.

The recently launched EU Immigration Portal was also presented to the participants. The new tool is a first point of entry for up-to-date, practical and understandable information on migration issues in each of the 27 EU member states.

Ledoux said the portal is a very useful website for Philippine migration authorities and migrants alike to help them better understand the rules that potential immigrants have to follow.

Based on statistics, there were more than 600,000 Filipinos residing or working in Europe in 2011. In the same year, remittances from Europe-based migrants amounted to $2.8 billion.