Dubai – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert met on 6 April 2004 with UAE Labor and Social Affairs Minister Mattar Humaid Al Tayer to discuss issues concerning the interests and welfare of the estimated 175,000 Filipino overseas workers in the United Arab Emirates.

The Secretary conveyed the appreciation of the Philippine Government to the UAE for “being a good host to thousands of Filipinos currently employed in the country and for their genuine concern for their welfare and well being.”

“I stressed the fact that while our overseas Filipinos are helping to shore up the Philippine economy, they also continue to make significant contributions to the UAE’s economic development,” Secretary Albert said.

The Secretary explained that these contributions have been duly recognized by officials of the UAE government, who acknowledged that “the Filipinos have an advantage over other nationals because they are hardworking, educated, and have a very strong sense of service.”

To enhance the protection and welfare of the Filipino workers in the Emirates, the Secretary proposed to Minister Al Tayer that officials of the Philippine Embassy and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs should undertake consultations on a regular basis.

“I conveyed to Minister Al Tayer the proposal by our Embassy in Abu Dhabi that before a visitor’s visa issued to a Filipino is converted into an employment visa, the prospective employer should first secure a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NCO) from the Embassy or the Consulate in Dubai,” the Secretary said. She pointed out that prior attestation and documentation by the Embassy of the prospective Filipino worker will assist the Philippine government in monitoring their employment conditions in the UAE, thus preventing possible occurrence of abuse or exploitation.

“I am glad to report that both proposals were readily accepted by Minister Al Tayer,” Secretary Albert said.

Following her meeting at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Secretary proceeded to inaugurate the opening of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. During this historic opening of the country’s newest foreign service post, Secretary Albert met with the leaders of the Filipino community and assured them that the Philippine Government will continue to look after their interests.

The Secretary also undertook a brief tour of the premises of the new Consulate General and met with a number of Filipinos staying at the Filipino Workers Resource Center.

“I wish to commend our Embassy officials in the UAE, including the representatives of the attached services, for their dedication and hard work in protecting the interests of our Filipino nationals. They have proven that they are more than equal to the task of looking after the welfare of our workers in this part of the world,” Secretary Albert said. END.