The Philippines and Canada have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on labor, employment and human resources, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported Monday.

Philippine Labor Secretary Arturo Brion and Minister for Economic Development Colin Hansen signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) spelling out the details of the cooperation.

The parties agreed to cooperate in expediting the entry of qualified Filipino workers into the Canadian Province of British Columbia and in ensuring that these workers receive adequate protection from the time of recruitment by promoting sound, ethical and equitable recruitment and employment practices.

The MOU established a joint Working Committee which will meet annually to coordinate and review the progress of cooperative activities as established in the agreement.

The MOU also outlines the two government's commitment to establish training and education programs in the Philippines that meet the requirements and standards necessary for entry into specific occupations in British Columbia.

In his remarks during the signing ceremonies, Secretary Brion called the MOU a "document of sharing" that will help the Philippines address the human-resources needs of British Columbia.

British Columbia will "give Filipinos employment opportunities that allow us to address both our own employment needs and the imperative to continuously develop top quality human resources," Secretary Brion said further.

This is the second MOU that the Philippines has signed with Canada. The first MOU was signed with the province of Saskatchewan in December 2006.

Secretary Brion is also set to sign soon similar MOUs with the provincial governments of Alberta and Manitoba.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Brillantes, Filipino Consul General to Vancouver Ruth Morales Prado, Labor Undersecretary Carmelita Pineda, and lawyer Frank Luna of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Toronto, and Consul Robespierre Boivar, accompanied the labor secretary. # # #