A labour official from the Philippines has lauded the “remarkable progress” the State of Qatar achieved in the field of employment, Qatar Chamber announced in a statement on Saturday.
According to Qatar Chamber, Hans Leo J Cacdac, the administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), was “satisfied with the work in Qatar,” and with the state’s efforts to provide “an appropriate working environment.”
Cacdac made the statement during a recent meeting with Qatar Chamber vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari. The two officials discussed the latest developments in the Filipino community in Qatar and reviewed areas of co-operation and co-ordination between the Philippines and Qatar.
During the meeting, Cacdac said the Philippines’ Secretary of Labour and Employment Silvestre Bello III is slated to visit Qatar in September to meet HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi.
The Philippine labour secretary’s visit also aims at encouraging the Qatari business community to hire more Filipino workers, he said.
Cacdac said the Philippines is keen on training Filipino workers on the use of English language and on the laws of Qatar before allowing them to enter the labour market.
According to al-Kuwari, Qatar welcomes the presence of the Filipino community, which, he said, “contributes to the renaissance witnessed by the country.” He also lauded their contributions to the Qatari business community.
He stressed that the chamber and Qatari business owners “were honoured” to meet President Rodrigo R Duterte during his state visit to Qatar in April.
The Philippine president met various officials to discuss ways to enhance economic and trade co-operation between the two countries.
Al-Kuwari also emphasised on workers’ rights and the law regulating the entry and exit of expatriates, and their residency in Qatar.
He said the chamber is closely co-operating with all parties concerned to address employment issues in Qatar.
He also noted that the chamber takes “great satisfaction” from the response of Qatari businessmen and companies regarding the quality of work provided by Filipino employees, which were described as “trained and well-equipped” for their business.