‘Qatar is third in Mideast and fifth globally in number of Filipino workers’

Remittances from Filipino workers in Qatar ranged between $830m and $930m over three years

QNA

DOHA: The Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services of the Republic of the Philippines, Hans Leo Cacdac said that the visit of the Amir to Manila will strengthen the existing relations between the two countries, and will give greater momentum to cooperation in the field of labour.

The Undersecretary said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1981, Filipino labour has been an integral part of the construction and development scene in Qatar.

Most of them were skilled professionals and workers who developed and built their careers in Qatar while providing a stable income to support their families, he said.

Qatar is the third in the Middle East and fifth globally in terms of the number of Filipino workers employed in the country, he said.

He said that the remittance value of Filipino workers in Qatar, ranged between $830m and $930m over the past three years, according to data from the Philippine Central Bank. He stated, “These financial remittances by the workers significantly contribute to the growth of the Philippine economy. Moreover, these workers have an impact on the labor sector and the Qatari economy as a whole.

The Filipino workforce in Qatar is characterized by its active and effective presence, both in quantity and quality. They are known for their skills and perform their tasks with discipline and high professionalism. Moreover, they have proven their presence in many economic sectors.

HE Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services of the Republic of the Philippines expressed his country’s appreciation for the positive developments and significant reforms implemented by Qatar to protect workers’ rights, especially regarding raising the minimum wage, ensuring its protection, allowing for job mobility, and establishing other mechanisms to address any imbalances while safeguarding workers’ rights.

He stated, “Qatar has become attractive to Filipino workers, and its favourable work environment encourages workers to bring their families to live there.
He also highlighted the initiative to establish the Qatar Visa Center in Manila, which has contributed to simplifying the process of obtaining work visas, facilitating the procedures that both the worker and the employer need to take, and protecting their rights. He affirmed his country’s readiness to cooperate further to enhance the center’s operations.