ISLAMABAD, 21 September 2026—Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez received Mr. Geir Thomas Tonstol, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Pakistan, at the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad on 21 September 2026 for discussions on possible cooperation in safe and fair labor migration, skills development and recognition, social protection, and migrant-worker welfare.
Mr. Tonstol was joined by Ms. Lisanne Achterberg, Programme/Project Technical Officer, and Ms. Sadia Hameed, National Programme Officer. Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rain R. Mendoza joined Ambassador Fernandez during the meeting.
The ILO delegation briefed the Embassy on its Decent Work Country Programme for Pakistan 2023–2027, which guides ILO activities in the country and works with the Government of Pakistan, employers and workers toward greater access to decent and productive employment. Its priorities include decent work and economic development, social protection, international labor standards, occupational safety and health, and gender-responsive workplaces.
Discussions focused particularly on opportunities for Philippines-Pakistan knowledge exchange on labor migration governance. ILO Pakistan expressed interest in Philippine experience in migrant-worker protection, employment-contract safeguards, social protection, skills certification and recognition, and mechanisms supporting safe and orderly labor mobility.
The meeting also discussed Pakistan’s efforts to expand opportunities for skilled workers in overseas markets, including in the health and care sectors, and the importance of ensuring that training and qualifications respond to destination-country requirements. Particular attention was given to the protection of women migrant workers and the potential for cooperation in skills portability and recognition.
The engagement follows the recent visit to Pakistan of Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, who participated in the Budapest Process Thematic Working Group Meeting on Legal Pathways for Migration and met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain. The two sides identified possible cooperation in skills development, social protection, worker welfare, reintegration and overseas labor representation.
The Embassy welcomed the ILO’s readiness to support closer exchanges between Philippine and Pakistani institutions. With both countries possessing substantial experience as countries of origin for migrant workers, the discussions highlighted opportunities to share practical approaches while strengthening protections for workers throughout the migration cycle.
The Philippine Embassy will continue working with the ILO Country Office, concerned Philippine agencies and Pakistani counterparts to explore concrete initiatives that can translate the growing dialogue on labor mobility into safer migration, stronger social protection, better skills recognition and greater opportunities for workers. END
