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Philippines Conducting Side-talks with Other Gulf States for Migrant Workers Protection |
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PRESS RELEASE No. 23
MANILA , Oct. 30 (PNA)—Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito Roque today bared that the Philippine government has kicked-off initial talks with Gulf Coordinating Countries (GCCs) to protect and safeguard the rights of migrant Filipino workers, specially OFWs based in the Middle East. In a press briefing during Thursday’s launch of Pilot Project: Administration of Temporary Contractual Employment Cycle from India and the Philippines to the United Arabs Emirates, Roque said the government has began its initial talks with GCC members composed of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. No specific details yet on the progress of the initial round of talks were given but the labor secretary cited as significant the recent move of the United Arab Emirates to draft new laws that will focus on the rights and protection of its 3-million plus migrant workers. Roque expressed optimism that the rest of the GCC nations will follow the UAE initiative. UAE’s protection program aims to protect workers from exploitation, guarantee safe and fair working conditions and the ability of workers to seek redress of legitimate grievances, prepare workers for their return home country after they fulfill the terms of their contracts and help workers re- reintegrate in their home communities upon expiry of their working contracts.
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