A Catholic prelate welcomed the labor accord between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates saying it offers hope and comfort amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
(CBCP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Let us hail this labor accord between our country and with UAE as it brings comfort and hope in this uncertain and unprecedented time of COVID-19," Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said in an interview Thursday, March 4.
He added that such proper coordination and mutual cooperation will "guarantee protection of our household service workers (HSWs) and promotion of their rights."
With the expected resumption of deployment to the UAE, Santos said, Filipinos can once again show their honesty, being hardworking and helpful. He assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of prayers.
"We pray for their safety, to remain strong amidst separation and loneliness," said Santos.
"Always remember your Filipino chaplaincies as your home away from home," he added.
On March 2, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced the signing of a new labor accord between PH and UAE which will give greater protection to Filipino HSWs.
The Labor department also revealed that the country will resume deployment of HSWs to the Emirates effective end of the month. Deployment of HSWs to UAE has been suspended since 2014.
DOLE Undersecretary Claro Arellano said the new deployment will now be covered by a Unified Employment Contract that provides stringent measures to protect Filipino HSWs pursuant to the directives of President Duterte.
DOLE said under the unified contract, both the employer and the Foreign Recruitment Agencies, and the Philippine Recruitment Agencies are bound by joint and solidary liability should anything happen to the Filipino workers.