Tsai said Taiwan's representative to the Philippines Donald C.T. Lee and his Filipino counterpart Antonio I. Basilio inked the agreement in Cebu late last month, witnessed by CLA Deputy Minister Pan Shih-Wei and Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque.

Under the guidelines, direct employment coverage will expand from current caregivers to foreign workers in the manufacturing and construction industries, Tsai said, adding that application procedures will also be simplified.

In order to ensure the quality of health care, the Philippines "will also enhance pre-employment training for their workers before they leave for Taiwan,such as courses in language and cardiopulmonary resuscitation," Tsai added.

In addition, the two countries will collaborate to help reduce the number of repatriated and absconding Filipino workers, said Tsai, noting that as of the end of July, 2,700 Filipino workers were reported missing.