30 May 2024, Ottawa. Ambassador Austria met with Senator for Ontario, Ratna Omidvar who chairs the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. The two discussed the recently-released Committee report on Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Program.

Ambassador Austria shared information on the Philippine government’s efforts to promote the welfare and protect the rights of overseas Filipino workers.

“The Philippines is the only country with a Ministry dedicated to migrant workers,” commended by the Senator.

The two shared information on both their countries’ efforts to address issues that impact migrant workers such as the proliferation of illegal recruitment, third-country recruitment, and barriers to foreign credentials recognition.

Senator Omidvar was an immigrant herself who arrived in Canada in 1981 and a recognized expert on migration, diversity, and inclusion.