AFTER China, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to sign a bilateral agreement with Russia on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In an interview, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III disclosed that he is set to go to Russia in early 2019 for the signing of the labor agreement.

“I don’t want to go there in February. Most probably by March or April so that the weather won’t be too cold,” said Bello.

He said the labor pact will most likely be for the deployment of Filipino skilled workers.

“We already have some (skilled workers) there,” pointed the official.

The labor chief said the bilateral discussion was initiated by their Russian counterparts.

“Like China, they are in need of laborers since they have an aging population,” said Bello.

Earlier, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) bared that Russia is eyeing a government-to-government deployment scheme with the Philippines.

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev previously disclosed that Russia is looking forward to employing more skilled and unskilled OFWs.

A few months ago, the Philippines and China signed a bilateral agreement on the deployment of Filipino English teachers in China. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)