Bahrain Assures Commitment to Protect Filipino Workers
The PHL delegation led by Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola and Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver (3rd from left), during the call on HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain at Gudaibiya Palace on 25 April 2018. (Photo courtesy of Bahrain News Agency)
MANAMA 09 May 2018 – HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain expressed his appreciation for the contributions of Filipinos to the development of Bahrain and relayed his continuing assurances of Bahrain’s commitment to ensure the protection of their rights.
The Prime Minister made this known to the Philippine delegation headed by Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola and Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver. The Philippine delegation through Undersecretary Arriola, conveyed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano’s gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Kingdom of Bahrain to Filipino workers and stressed that Bahrain has been the second home of many Filipinos. She likewise assured HRH Prime Minister Khalifa of the Philippines’ commitment to the continued strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The delegation which visited from 24 to 25 April 2018 also met with the Ministry of Labor authorities Undersecretary Subah Salem Al-Doseri and Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Chief Executive Officer, Ausamah Abdulla Al Absi to discuss matters relating to the hiring of and the conditions of Filipino workers in Bahrain.
During the meeting, the LMRA underscored the initiatives it is taking to establish mechanisms aimed at protecting the rights of expatriate workers in Bahrain, including the new Flexi Visa Program as well as the recently launched standard contract of employment.
Undersecretary Arriola expressed the Philippine government’s appreciation for the humane and dignified treatment of Filipino workers in Bahrain, as well as for the efforts exerted by the LMRA and the Bahrain government to put in place processes that will enhance the protection of Filipinos and other expatriate workers in the Kingdom. The delegation also conveyed that the Philippines, through the Embassy in Manama, will continue to work hand in hand with the LMRA for the benefit and protection of our workers.
The delegation also met with Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Undersecretary Shaikha Rana bint Isa Al Khalifa to discuss matters of mutual concern, particularly the celebration of the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Bahrain, as well as the launching of the 1st High Joint Commission Meeting that aims to bolster further the strong partnership and cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting with MOFA Undersecretary Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Abdulla Al Khalifa and discussed common issues for Bahrain and the Philippines in the international arena, including the advancement of cooperation between the two countries through mutual support for initiatives by both states. END
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The Philippine delegation led by Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola (6th from right) and Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, H.E. Alfonso A. Ver (5th from left) accompanied by other PHL government officials with MOFA Undersecretary Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa Al Khalifa (4th from right) and other MOFA officials.
The Philippine delegation led by Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola (5th from left) and Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, H.E. Alfonso A. Ver (4th from left) with MOFA Undersecretary Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (4th from right) and Assistant Undersecretary for Western Countries and Afro-Asian Affairs, Tawfeeq Ahmed Khalil Al Mansoor and other MOFA officials.
The delegation meeting with LMRA CEO Ausamah Al Absi at the LMRA Headquarter in Sanabis on 25 April 2018.