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Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
The Philippine government is grateful to Qatar for implementing reforms and programmes that ensure the protection of migrant workers in the country who include thousands of Filipino nationals, said Philippine Labour Secretary HE Silvestre H Bello III.
Bello was speaking at an event organised by the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Doha to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence at Rayyan Sports Club on Sunday.
Qatar's Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs HE Dr Issa bin Saad al Jafali al Nuaimi graced the occasion.
The celebration led by Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Alan Timbayan gathered more than 1,000 Filipino nationals from different sectors.
"Our government truly appreciates all the laws and regulations governing the treatment of our overseas workers here. We feel that the laws of Qatar government are very effective in terms of protecting Filipino workers," Bello said during a press conference held on the occasion.
"This is the very reason why Qatar has been selected for the foreign celebration of our Independence Day. It is to show to our friends in Qatar that we truly appreciate how they treat our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)," he said.
He added that the Qatar labour law makes many provisions that offer not only optimum but maximum protection to Filipino workers.
He hinted at a plan to discuss with the Qatari Labour Minister the deployment of more Filipino skilled workers in Qatar.
In his remarks on the occasion, Bello underlined the significant contributions of OFWs to the Philippine economy.
Referring to them as their nation's modern day heroes, he said that the total remittance of OFWs last year reached Php1.7 trillion.
He said,"Your sacrifices are immeasurable. You have withstood loneliness and pain of being away from your loved ones to give them a good future and to contribute immensely to the growth of our economy back home. For that, I must tell you that our nation owes you big."
Bello added,"To the OFWs, please accept our highest gratitude for your selfless sacrifices for your families and for our country. We at the Philippine Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) will remain steadfast and committed to multiply our efforts in facilitating the creation of gainful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities so that in the end working in foreign countries will be an option not a compulsory for you. Rest assured that we will strive doubly hard to help realise the mission of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of making overseas employment an easy option," said Bello.
Speaking on the occasion, Qatari minister underscored the many legislations implemented by the leadership of Qatar to further protect the rights of the workers in the country.
He also lauded the contributions of Filipino expatriates to the developments in the country, while expressing his delight for being part of the community celebration of the Philippine Independence Day.
"Today, the number of Filipinos in Qatar exceeds 247,000 and I am very happy to see the community participating in the advancement of Qatar. We are happy to take part in the celebration. I would like to thank the Philippine Embassy for coordinating with us all the time," said Dr Nuaimi.
He also extended his warm welcome to Bello and his delegation.
The celebration was also attended by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Arnaldo Ignacio and other Embassy and POLO-OWWA staff. It also featured Manila-based performer Meg Imperial and live performances of various Doha-based groups.
