The Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar (BMKQ), an association of Filipino workers in the construction sector, held its sixth general assembly recently.
Complying with Covid-19 protocols, limited number of members attended the assembly which is held back-to-back with Bayanihan Qatar’s general assembly.
BMKQ president Joseph Catarungan presented highlights of the organisation’s achievements in 2021. These focused on workers' education and members' capability building through trainings and seminars, blood donation, beach cleanup, tree planting programmes, and sporting events for men and women in the construction and other sectors.
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, BMKQ assisted more than 3,000 workers who received emergency assistance such as grocery packs.
In collaboration with Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), BMKQ organised for the first time, the BWI Basketball Cup for Filipino construction workers in the country. Catarungan said the BWI Cup is planned to be organised yearly.
Women leaders dominated the new set of officers elected by the general assembly to serve the term 2021-2022. They are: Melissa Ortiguerra – president; Ian Baldesco – vice-president; Evelyn Florendo – secretary; Elenie Nicomedes – treasurer; Alliver Revilla – auditor; Mau Trinidad – business manager; and Maurin Matalubos – public relations officer. Also, 11 new members took the oath.
BWI general secretary Ambet Yuson spoke and shared some of BWI’s missions in Qatar, such as the establishment of Migrant Workers' Center, which will benefit not only the Filipino migrant workers but all other nationals as well who are working in the country.
Also highlighted in the general assembly was the relaunching of BMKQ website – www.bmkq.me, designed by engineer Ressie Fos, a former president, and now adviser of the organisation. Fos explained that the website will also include members’ portal and other applications that will benefit members and other Filipino migrant workers in the country.
BMKQ president Joseph Catarungan presented highlights of the organisation’s achievements in 2021. These focused on workers' education and members' capability building through trainings and seminars, blood donation, beach cleanup, tree planting programmes, and sporting events for men and women in the construction and other sectors.
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, BMKQ assisted more than 3,000 workers who received emergency assistance such as grocery packs.
In collaboration with Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), BMKQ organised for the first time, the BWI Basketball Cup for Filipino construction workers in the country. Catarungan said the BWI Cup is planned to be organised yearly.
Women leaders dominated the new set of officers elected by the general assembly to serve the term 2021-2022. They are: Melissa Ortiguerra – president; Ian Baldesco – vice-president; Evelyn Florendo – secretary; Elenie Nicomedes – treasurer; Alliver Revilla – auditor; Mau Trinidad – business manager; and Maurin Matalubos – public relations officer. Also, 11 new members took the oath.
BWI general secretary Ambet Yuson spoke and shared some of BWI’s missions in Qatar, such as the establishment of Migrant Workers' Center, which will benefit not only the Filipino migrant workers but all other nationals as well who are working in the country.
Also highlighted in the general assembly was the relaunching of BMKQ website – www.bmkq.me, designed by engineer Ressie Fos, a former president, and now adviser of the organisation. Fos explained that the website will also include members’ portal and other applications that will benefit members and other Filipino migrant workers in the country.