Makati: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Kingdom of Denmark have taken a major step toward establishing a long-term skills and training pipeline for Filipino health and care professionals as both governments initialed and exchanged the latest drafts of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Education, Training, and Recruitment of Filipino Health and Care Professionals on Thursday in Makati City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the latest draft was finalized during the visit of Denmark's Minister for Senior Citizens, Mette Kierkgaard. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that both governments aim to create an ethical and transparent recruitment system that safeguards Filipino workers, ensuring they receive the same rights and working conditions as their Danish counterparts.

The draft MOU establishes a government-to-government framework focusing on education, training, and professional development as core components for deploying Filipino workers to Denmark's care sector. It also supports capacity-building in the Philippines through workforce planning, knowledge transfer, and circular migration. A Joint Committee will oversee the implementation once the agreement is formally signed.

The DMW mentioned that the government-to-government cooperation will commence with a pilot program for social and health care helpers in elderly care. It will later expand to advanced roles, including social and health care assistants and nurses, supported by standardized training programs recognized by both governments. The framework ensures Filipino workers undergo preparatory and skills-alignment training in accredited Philippine institutions, meeting Denmark's requirements in elderly and medical care.

This initiative builds on a Joint Declaration of Intent signed in December 2024. Denmark had earlier projected a shortage of 15,000 healthcare workers by 2035, emphasizing the need for structured international partnerships.