05 July 2011 - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi reported that Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz met with Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa, Embassy officials, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officials from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and Filipino community leaders during her transit in Abu Dhabi on the evening of June 18.
Secretary Baldoz came from the 100th Session of the International Labor Conference (ILO) in Geneva, where the ILO Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers was adopted. Embassy officials and some Filipino community leaders were briefed by the Secretary on new legislation and policies mentioned by United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Labor Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash in his statement at the ILO.These new legislation includes that of organizing the work of public and private agencies such that there will only be big private foreign placement agencies, instead of small ones, which will serve as the employers of household workers.
Other policies mentioned by the UAE Minister of Labor involved the electronic contract validation system which will be made available online next month, as well as the pre-departure low-cost loan program to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through tie-ups with Philippine banks.
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be able to avail of loans up to a maximum amount equivalent to two months' salary, with payment guaranteed by the UAE under a wage protection scheme.
Meanwhile, POLO Abu Dhabi and POLO Dubai updated Secretary Baldoz on relevant labor and immigration concerns of the Filipinos in the UAE.
Secretary Baldoz was also given the chance to meet with representatives of the Bayanihan Council, the umbrella group of the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi.
The Secretary asked the Filipino community leaders about their concerns in the UAE and also took the time to brief them on the latest programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that are in line with the current administration's thrust to focus on the economy and investments in the country, in order to lessen the need for Filipinos to find work abroad.
In particular, she mentioned the recently-launched "Balik Pinay! Balik-Hanapbuhay! Project", for returning women OFWs that will give alternative employment for the women through training or assistance. This is part of the National Reintegration Program for OFWs. Priority is given to displaced and distressed women or household service workers.
Another program is the special lending facility through the Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) with low interest rates of 7.5% for migrant workers.
Secretary Baldoz expressed appreciation for the Embassy's efforts towards reintegration.
Ambassador Princesa mentioned the Training of Trainors for Financial Literacy which will be held in the next two weekends as part of the Embassy's programs.