President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday his intention to underscore the labor rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during his discussions with officials in Saudi Arabia.
The President’s trip to Saudi Arabia coincides with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (Asean-GCC). During his pre-departure speech at Villamor Airbase, Marcos emphasized the Summit’s significance as a venue for the Philippines to strengthen cooperation in multiple sectors. These sectors include energy and food security, logistics, digital information, supply chains, and the free movement of goods, services, and people.
He specifically highlighted the protection and enhancement of the rights of OFWs as a pivotal topic. This follows a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs revealing that Marcos intends to address the issue of unpaid wages owed to approximately 10,000 OFWs in Saudi Arabia.
“With around 2.2 million Filipinos working in GCC countries, predominantly in vital roles, it is crucial that their rights and contributions are acknowledged,” Marcos said. He added that he would meet with the Filipino community in Riyadh to update them on developments in the Philippines and to express gratitude for their contributions abroad.
The GCC consists of nations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to his primary agenda, President Marcos also mentioned that he would present the Maharlika Investment Fund to the Filipino community while in Saudi Arabia.