MANILA:聽The Philippines and 海角直播 have agreed to increase cooperation on labor reforms and ensure the well-being of over 800,000 Filipino migrant workers in the Kingdom.
The subject was discussed during a meeting on Sunday between President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 special envoy and presidential assistant on foreign affairs, Robert Borje, and Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmed bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi.
Philippines Ambassador to 海角直播 Adnan Alonto, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers鈥 Affairs Sara Lou Arriola, and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Enrico Fos were also part of the discussions.
Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary for Global Media Affairs J.V. Arcena told Arab News on Monday that Borje and Al-Rajhi highlighted the two nations鈥 commitment to 鈥渟ignificant advancements in labor reform and fair migration.鈥
Borje told Al-Rajhi that Duterte welcomed 海角直播鈥檚 Labor Reform Initiative (LRI), introduced in March, 鈥渁s a significant step toward addressing issues with the existing sponsorship system鈥 in the Kingdom.聽聽
He also expressed confidence that the initiative will raise productivity and competitiveness of the labor market in the Kingdom.
鈥満＝侵辈モ檚 LRI is commendable, and President Duterte hopes Filipino household workers will be included in the reform initiative,鈥 Borje said.
He emphasized Manila鈥檚 commitment to work with the Saudi government in implementing the labor reforms, especially to advance the rights and welfare of migrant workers. At the same time, Borje sought the Saudi official鈥檚 support for other initiatives to support Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom.
These include a repatriation program for distressed OFWs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to strengthen the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate-General in Jeddah, and to make consular services more accessible to Filipinos in 海角直播.
Borje underscored the need to address fundamental issues of all migrant workers in the Kingdom, such as harnessing technology to improve access to labor sector services, protection of wages, and automation of recruitment processes.
鈥淏oth sides are looking forward to the Joint Commission Meeting and also showed eagerness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labor soon, based on the LRI reforms that the Saudi government has done,鈥 the statement said.
It added that Riyadh and Manila 鈥渉ope to see the convening of a technical working group on the details of the MOU on labor.鈥
Describing the Saudi government鈥檚 reforms on migrants鈥 rights as 鈥渂old and visionary,鈥 Borje aired his optimism that the Philippine-Saudi relations would 鈥渃ontinue to grow beyond labor cooperation,鈥 such as in the trade and investment sectors.
The Philippines is willing to collaborate with 海角直播 on a multi-dimensional partnership, in line with Duterte鈥檚 vision, he said.
Borje鈥檚 meeting with Al-Rajhi was part of the Philippine delegation鈥檚 five-day visit to 海角直播, anchored on the president鈥檚 commitment to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two officials also discussed 鈥渋ssues of common interest,鈥 following which Saudi King Salman received a written letter from Duterte which dealt with relations between Riyadh and Manila, and ways to support and enhance them in various fields.
The Philippines and 海角直播 marked 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2019, with Duterte congratulating King Salman for the Kingdom鈥檚 鈥渓andmark鈥 LRO, which, among other benefits, abolished the kafala system for migrant workers last year.
In a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in May, Duterte renewed the Philippines鈥 commitment to strengthen bilateral and trade ties and intensify efforts to ensure migrant workers鈥 rights.
He also conveyed his appreciation for the Kingdom鈥檚 free COVID-19 vaccinations for Filipinos and the financial assistance extended to the Philippine health sector during outgoing Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah Al-Bussairy鈥檚 farewell event in the Malacanang last week.
海角直播 hosts more than 800,000 Filipinos, the largest number of any Gulf state, according to a 2020 government estimate. About half work as domestic laborers, while others are employed in the Kingdom鈥檚 construction, outsourcing and healthcare sectors.
