Croatia is offering 3,500 jobs in the hotel industry to Filipino workers in a government-to-government deal with the Philippines, an official said Wednesday,

Usec. Patricia Yvonne “Py” Caunan, undersecretary for policy and international cooperation of the Department of Migrant Workers, said the 3,500 openings will include housekeeping, front of the house, restaurant and other jobs in the tourism industry.

Salaries range from 800 euros (approximately 50,000 pesos) to 2500 euros (approximately 156,000 pesos), depending on the position. Accommodations will be free for those hired, the official said.

“Our counterpart said they will not require Croatian language basta magaling mag English, 'yan naman po advantage ng Filipino,” she said  in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

Workers who are hired will undergo training once they reach Croatia.

“Ang maganda po, dahil government to government, no placement fee sa kababayan natin. Walang agency, direct sa gobyerno. 'Yun ang modality na pinili ng ating Croatian partners,” she said.

There is no age requirement for workers since the Croatians value experience, Caunan said, “but they will look at physical fitness sa hotel and resorts.”

Croatia is looking at bringing in the first batch of Filipino workers in time for the summer season in June.

“They have a large demand sa hotel and resorts. Summer time puntahan ang Croatia ng iba’t ibang tourist sa iba’t ibang parte ng mundo,” she said.

There are more than 10,000 Filipinos living in Croatia.