GOVPH

Undersecretary Arriola Pitches for Migration Agenda, Commends Qatar for Labor Reforms

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola meets with Qatari Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary General Dr. Ahmed. (online source)

DOHA 20 October 2018 —  The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) highlighted the importance of the migration agenda it commended Qatar’s positive steps during in addressing issues related to migration. 

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola stressed the importance of the migration agenda as she met with officials from Qatar government during her four-day visit to the Gulf country from 11 to 14 October 2018.

Undersecretary Arriola was in the country to meet with Qatar government officials, Philippine Embassy in Doha officials, and Filipino Community leaders in view of recent reforms made by Qatar on the labor front, which will stand to benefit the Philippines as a labor-sending country.

The Undersecretary mentioned in her meetings that the Philippines has been active in the negotiation on the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), and called on Qatar for its support as the GCM convenes anew in Marrakesh, Morocco in December 2018. 

Undersecretary Arriola explained that President Rodrigo Duterte attaches great importance to the cause of Filipino migrants in view of their significant contribution to the Philippine economy.

  “The remittances of our 10 million Overseas Filipinos across the globe account for 10 percent of our total Gross Domestic Product,” the Undersecretary underlined. 

In keeping with the objectives of the GCM, the Undersecretary asked Qatar for availability and flexibility of pathways, such as an amnesty, which would allow for regularization of undocumented Filipino migrants in the country.

She thanked and commended Qatar for major labor reforms, such as the abolition of exit permit for 95 percent of the total expatriate workers in Qatar, the establishment of visa processing centers in labor-sending countries such as the Philippines, where capture of biometrics data, medical examination, issuance of Residency Permits, and signing of employment contracts will be done before workers are deployed to Qatar, and putting up of government-sponsored shelters for women, among other reforms.

During her visit, Undersecretary Arriola met with Secretary General of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Hamadi, Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs Dr. Eissa Saad Al Jaffali Al Nuaimi, Director General for Public Security of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, and MOI’s Search and Follow-Up Department Director Brigadier General Abdullah Jaber Al-Labda.

Joining the Undersecretary in the meetings were Ambassador to Qatar Alan L. Timbayan, Vice Consul Benjamin A. Celedio Jr, Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Principal Assistant Laser Blitz B. Sumagaysay, and Office of the Secretary Adviser Peter John V. de la Fuente. END

For more information, visit www.dohape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinQatar.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola meets with Qatari Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs Dr. Eissa Saad Al Jaffali Al Nuaimi. (online source)

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola meets with Director General for Public Security Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi. (online source)

DFA Undersecretary Visits Deportation Center in Qatar

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola (center) speaks with female wards at the Deportation Center. (ATNU photo)

DOHA 20 October 2018 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assured Filipino wards at Qatar’s deportation center that the Philippine Government is doing its utmost that they be repatriated to the Philippines and reunited with their families. 

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola conveyed these as she visited the visited the Search and Follow Up Department (SFD), Qatar’s deportation center on 13 October 2018 to check on Filipino female wards who are currently staying at the SFD while waiting for their flight back to Manila.

Upon her arrival at the deportation center, Undersecretary Arriola was received by SFD Director Brigadier General Abdullah Jaber Al-Labda at his office before proceeding to the female holding area where the female wards were waiting to meet her.

Before concluding the visit, Undersecretary Arriola distributed Jollibee meals and cash assistance to the wards, much to their delight.

This special visit and other assistance was made possible by the Ministry of Interior (MOI), following a meeting between Undersecretary Arriola and MOI’s Director General for Public Security Major General Saad Bin Jassim Al Khulaifi on 11 October 2018.

Undersecretary Arriola was on a four-day visit to Qatar from 11 October to 14 October 2018 to meet with Qatar government officials, Embassy officials and Filipino community leaders in view of recent reforms made by Qatar on the labor front, which will have significant impact on Filipino migrants in the country.

Joining the Undersecretary in the visit to the deportation center were Ambassador to Qatar Alan L. Timbayan, Labor Attaché David Des T. Dicang, Vice Consul Benjamin A. Celedio, Jr, Principal Assistant of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Laser Blitz B. Sumagaysay, Office of the Secretary Adviser Peter John V. de la Fuente and other Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office–Overseas Workers Welfare Administration personnel. END 

For more information, visit www.dohape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinQatar.

Photo Release: PH Embassy in Doha Successfully Concludes Overseas Voters Registration with Weekend Services