PH And UAE Enhance Collaboration On Welfare And Protection Of OFWs

MANILA (DMW)—The Department of Migrant Workers discusses the smooth migration process and the implementation of key welfare and protection policies for OFWs in the United Arab Emirates during a Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) held on October 30, 2025, in Pasig City.

Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to champion the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families, the JCM acts as a platform to maintain the strong partnership and bilateral relationship between the Philippines and UAE, as the two countries identify mutual concerns and seek cooperation, including understanding and implementing proposed DMW reforms to better protect Filipino domestic workers.

The Philippine delegation, led by Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul, Jr., Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent L. Uy, Consul General Arvic V. Arevalo, P.E., Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the DMW delegation-Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, Assistant Secretaries Levinson C. Alcantara and Julyn S. Ambito-Fermin, Director Francisco S. Aguilar Jr., Officer-in-Charge Director Mary Sol D. Dela Cruz, Officer-in-Charge Chief Cleobelle M. Romero, and Labor Attachés M. Teresa B. Olgado and John Rio A. Bautista from Migrant Workers Offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively.

The United Arab Emirates, led by H.E. Khalil Yousif Alkhoori, Undersecretary for Labour Market Operations and Emiratization, and accompanied by H.E. Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Philippines; H.E. Abdulla Ali Alnuaimi, International Relations Advisor; Hussain Rabeea Alaleeli, Director of the Customer Voice Department; and Abdullaziz Ali Al Shamsi, International Relations Specialist.

The JCM highlighted discussions on:

* Updates on UAE labor laws and regulations

* Development of an online Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) module for domestic workers

* Verification of employment documents for recruitment agencies under TADBEER Sponsorship

* Establishment of a Centralized Official Document Processing System for Domestic Worker recruitment

* DMW Advisory No. 25., series of 2025 - Enhanced Reform Programs for Filipino Domestic Workers

“Our meeting today reaffirms our mutual commitment to strengthening the spirit of friendship and cooperation, and to advancing our shared goal of promoting the rights and welfare of our workers by simultaneously addressing the labor needs of both countries. Regarding our enduring partnership, we have addressed key labor issues, enhanced labor and institutional cooperation, and created a platform for dialogue that enables both sides to promote fair and ethical recruitment and practices,” affirmed Usec. Rasul during the meeting.

While further discussions and reviews of proposed policies are still underway, both countries are committed to continue working together to achieve fair and ethical recruitment policies that protect both workers and employers.

Photos: DMW