By NG Seruela
The Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) renewed on Sunday (June 20) their shared commitment to further “heighten cooperation” and ensure the welfare of Filipino migrant workers in KSA.
On Sunday, Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs (PAFA) Robert E. A. Borje and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) Minister Ahmad Sulaiman Al Rajhi discussed the countries’ position to “work more closely together in bilateral and multilateral fora to highlight significant advancements in labor reform and fair migration.”
In a statement, PAFA Borje told Minister Al Rajhi that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomed KSA’s launching of the Labor Reform Initiative (LRI). He said that the LRI is a significant step towards “addressing issues with the existing sponsorship system in the Mideast country.”
Moreover, he is optimistic that it will raise the “productivity and competitiveness of the labor market” in Saudi Arabia.
Borje also highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in the implementation of the LRI, particularly those that “advance the rights and welfare of migrant workers, recognizing the benefits for key labor sectors in the Kingdom, including labor mobility.”
He emphasized that President Duterte recognizes the LRI as a commendable initiative and he hopes for the Filipino household workers’ inclusion in it.
Meanwhile, Special Envoy Borje also asked for the MHRSD minister’s support on other Philippine initiatives that will better serve the needs of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in KSA such as include the ongoing repatriation program for distressed Filipinos in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as efforts to further strengthen the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Philippine Consulate-General in Jeddah and make consular services more accessible to Filipinos in the Kingdom.
Borje said that Saudi Arabia’s reforms on migrants’ rights are “bold and visionary, and deserving of support from partners.”
He assured that the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia will “continue to grow beyond labor cooperation.”
Both countries are anticipating to attend the Joint Commission Meeting and are eager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on labor soon, based on the LRI reforms that the Saudi government has done.
Moreover, the two officials hope to see the convening of a technical working group on the details of the MOU on labor.
The Special Envoy guaranteed that the Philippines is willing to collaborate with KSA on a “multi-dimensional partnership, which President Duterte envisions.”
The meeting with the MHRSD Minister is part of the program for the Philippine delegation’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, in line with the President’s commitment to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs. -rir
