A Catholic prelate welcomed the labor accord signed by the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, saying it offers comfort and hope amid the pandemic.
The Philippines’ Labor department has announced the signing of a new accord this week that is expected to provide better protection to Filipino household service workers or HSWs.
The country is expected to resume the deployment of HSWs to the UAE starting the end of March.
Deployment of household service workers to the country has been suspended since 2014.
“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,” said Bishop Ruperto Santos, vice chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People.
He said proper coordination and mutual cooperation between the two countries will “guarantee protection of our household service workers and promotion of their rights.”
With the expected resumption of the deployment of workers to the UAE, Bishop Santos said Filipinos can once again show their being honest and hardworking.
“We pray for their safety, to remain strong amid the separation and loneliness,” said the prelate. “Always remember your Filipino chaplaincies as your home away from home,” he added.
Labor Undersecretary Claro Arellano said the deployment of workers to the UAE will be covered by a “Unified Employment Contract” that provides stringent measures to protect Filipinos.
Under the unified contract, the employer and the foreign and local recruitment agencies are bound by joint and sollidary liability should anything happen to Filipino workers.
