Philippine labour secretary Silvestre Bello III praised the continuous efforts by the Qatari government and the programmes and reforms that benefit employees, especially the Filipino expatriates.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the 120th Independence Day and ‘Filipino Migrants Day’ at Al Rayyan Sports Club. The event was attended by HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, Philippine ambassador Alan Timbayan, and members of the Filipino community.
Bello stressed that the laws and regulations adopted by Qatar in the field of protecting foreign workers and their rights in its territory are a model and could be a basis for the conventions in the region.
He also lauded the programmes and reforms related to the protection and rights, saying the Qatari Labour Law protects employment in general, and must be adopted in the whole region through the International Labour Organisation.
He cited the close co-operation between the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and the Philippine embassy in Doha.
Cultural performances take centre stage at the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration at Al Rayyan Sports Club
The Labour Secretary noted that the two parties have been continuously collaborating to provide effective and timely solutions on challenges the Filipino community may face and take measures to protect workers in general.
The two celebrations featured a variety of entertainment and cultural performances such as folk songs, heritage music and entertainment competitions, among others.
In his speech, Bello praised and thanked the efforts of overseas Filipino workers, which he described as modern day heroes for substantially in contributing to the growth of the Philippine economy back home.
“On behalf of the (Philippine) government, I take the opportunity to thank our modern day heroes for your forbearance and for your resilience. Your sacrifices are immeasurable,” he stressed.
“You have withstood loneliness, pain of being away from your loved ones to give them a good future and only to contribute immensely to the growth of our economy back home,” Bello said. “For that I must tell you that our nation owes you big.”
He added that the Department of Labour and Employment will remain steadfast and committed to multiply its efforts in facilitating the creation of gainful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities “so that in the end your coming or going to foreign countries for work will be an option not a compulsory.”
