The Philippines and Saudi Arabia renewed the shared commitment to further heighten cooperation between the two countries and ensure the well-being of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom.
Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert E. A. Borje and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) Minister Ahmad Sulaiman Al Rajhi articulated the position of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia to work more closely together in bilateral and multilateral fora to highlight significant advancements in labor reform and fair migration.
Borje said President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed Saudi Arabia’s launching of the Labor Reform Initiative (LRI), saying it paved the way towards greater protection for migrant workers and addressing issues with the existing sponsorship system in the Middle East country.
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At the same time, Borje said the Philippines committed to work with Saudi Arabia in implementing its labor reform initiative, especially those that advance the rights and welfare of OFWs.
The Filipino official commended Saudi Arabia’s LRI, adding that President Duterte hopes for inclusion of Filipino household workers in the reform.
Borje also sought the MHRSD minister’s support for other Philippine initiatives to better serve the needs of overseas Filipino workers in the Arab country.
These include the ongoing repatriation program for distressed Filipinos affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as efforts to further strengthen the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Philippine Consulate-General in Jeddah and make consular services more accessible to Filipinos in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Borje expressed gratitude to the government of Saudi Arabia for including Filipinos in the Kingdom’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
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Borje also underscored the need to address fundamental issues to all migrant workers in the Kingdom.
These include harnessing technology to improve access to labor sector services, protection of wages, and automation of recruitment processes.
The meeting with the MHRSD Minister is part of the program for the Philippine delegation’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, anchored on the President’s commitment to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs.
This is under the administration’s promise of Kalinga at Malasakit for OFWs, a key priority of the Duterte government.
Joining the presidential envoy during the meeting were Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto and Consul General Rommel Romato. (RA)
