Filipino nurses and engineers to see more job openings in Qatar

Posted by Admin August 9, 2024 Jobs

The agreement aims to expand job opportunities for Filipino nurses, architects, and engineers in Qatar.
The enhanced employment contracts offer better working conditions, higher end-of-service benefits, and medical and social care.
The DMW and Qatari Ministry of Labor have also announced the creation of a joint committee to review and enhance bilateral labor agreements.

On Friday, the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers announced that Filipino nurses, architects, and engineers will have more job opportunities in Qatar. The department reached an agreement with the Gulf state to enhance labor protections for expatriate workers.

Most of the approximately 2 million overseas Filipino workers live and work in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Qatar employs about 264,000 workers and contributes around $900 million in annual remittance inflows to the Philippines.

Most Filipinos based in Qatar have worked in the construction and service sectors. However, the opportunities will expand following this week’s meeting of the Philippines and Qatar Joint Committee in Pasay City.

“Qatar expressed its interest in hiring more skilled Filipino workers, such as nurses, architects, and engineers. Both sides agreed to work together to facilitate the deployment of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) under improved terms and conditions,” the DMW said in a statement.

“DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan and Qatar Ministry of Labor Assistant Undersecretary Sheika Najha Abdulrahman Al-Thani signed the joint statement, which featured significant breakthroughs in promoting the rights and welfare of OFWs.”

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac welcomed the agreements forged during the meeting, calling them “milestones in ensuring the security and well-being of Filipinos.”

The joint statement revealed that the countries have adopted improved employment contracts, which offer Filipino workers better conditions.

“The enhanced employment contract for Filipino workers in Qatar prescribes improved working conditions, the entitlement of workers to end-of-service benefits that are higher compared with other countries, medical and social care, and decent accommodation that respect workers’ cultural and religious needs,” it said.

“The contract protects workers’ job security by stipulating a shorter probationary period of three months for new workers and by establishing clear guidelines for contract termination by both the employer and the worker.”

The DMW and the Qatari Ministry of Labor also announced the creation of a joint committee to “review and enhance” existing and pending bilateral labor agreements, aiming for “fair and ethical recruitment, safe migration, and decent work for migrant workers.”