The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the State of Qatar Ministry of Labour have reinforced their commitment to improving the working conditions and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during the 5th Philippines-Qatar Joint Committee Meeting held in Pasay City on August 7, 2024.
In a Joint Statement, signed by DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan and Qatar Ministry of Labour Assistant Undersecretary Sheika Najha Abdulrahman Al Thani, both countries outlined significant steps towards better labor standards for OFWs, including the adoption of an enhanced standard employment contract. The new contract features improved working conditions, shorter probationary periods, and provisions for end-of-service benefits.
Qatar has expressed interest in hiring more skilled Filipino workers, such as nurses, architects, and engineers. The two nations also agreed to implement mechanisms to monitor OFWs more effectively and to ensure ethical recruitment practices, including the Blacklisting and Whitelisting of recruitment agencies.
A Joint Technical Working Committee will be established to review and enhance existing labor agreements, focusing on ethical recruitment and safe migration. The signing of the Joint Statement was attended by key officials from both countries, including Qatar’s Ambassador to the Philippines and representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).