Labor Minister Rolando Castro Press Conference. Over 11,000 Salvadorans have secured temporary employment opportunities in the United States and Canada through the Labor Migration Program, an initiative spearheaded by El Salvador’s Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MTPS).
The employment initiative continues to expand, with new opportunities in Europe on the horizon.
Minister of Labor Rolando Castro emphasized that the government launched the program in 2019 in partnership with the United States.
However, the program gained significant momentum in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), took over oversight.
During a recent address, the Minister clarified that USAID did not provide direct funding to launch the program.
The program expanded to include Canada in 2021, and in December 2023, Costa Rica joined as a new labor migration partner.
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According to Minister Castro, the initiative has had a tangible impact on participants’ lives and has contributed to broader national development.
Castro highlighted the success stories of early beneficiaries, particularly those placed in Canada, noting transformative changes in their quality of life.
Minister Castro asserted that the Ministry operates “with the limited resources available” and remains committed to expanding Salvadoran employment opportunities abroad.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MTPS) announced that the first group of Salvadoran workers will depart for Europe next week.
Salvadoran officials also indicated that they may soon add additional European countries to the program through new labor migration agreements, which are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Our program is changing lives with good jobs abroad. We will soon announce the new country where our workers will travel to work. They will cross the Atlantic, and their new destination will be the first country in Europe. Placing someone in a job transforms the lives of their family. Labor Minister Rolando Castro.
SEE ALSO: The U.S. Extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans Until September 2026
How to Apply
The Salvadoran government says it designed the application process to be accessible and inclusive. The primary exclusions are individuals with a criminal record or those previously deported from the United States or Canada.
Interested candidates must apply through the official Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare website.
When international employers request personnel, the Ministry prepares a shortlist of candidates from which companies can select their hires.
