The Qatar National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has been in touch with the Filipino community through gatherings to promote the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). NHRC officials have also recently visited the Philippines and met with labour officials and concerned groups to explain on available remedies in cases of labour-related problems of migrant workers, according to a report of GMA News, a Philippine TV network. Frank Jamandre, Chairman of the Philippine Independence Organising Committee, said NHRC has conducted an orientation seminar with Filipino community leaders to let them aware that the committee has been entertaining complaints from migrant workers. Jamandre said it was the second time that NHRC met with community leaders who learned more about their rights and welfare while working in Qatar. Fahed Ahmed Al Muhammad, of the NHRC said that most OFWs were not aware that their office accepted complaints as NHRC was created to promote the well-being of the people including migrant workers. Al Muhammad said they had recorded 1,200 complaints from migrant workers of different nationalities in 2009. The Philippine Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labour Office-OWWA in Qatar has recorded some 1,800 cases of distressed OFWs while over 800 were already repatriated during the first half of 2008. After listening to the concerns during his Manila meetings, Al Muhammad realised the need for both Filipino workers and agencies to ensure that they sign and process only the standard contract accepted in Qatar. He said copies of standard employment contract in Qatar has been given to the Philippine Embassy for their further information and guidance since there are cases that even contracts processed by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration sometimes were not accepted in Qatar if they are different from Qatar’s standard contract. Al Muhammad noted a problem with Qatari labour code which does not cover domestic helpers as they are not classified as workers in the country. He hoped that a better bilateral labour agreement will be reached between Qatar and the Philippines. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/55362-human-rights-body-vows-to-promote-welfare-of-filipinos.html

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