Duterte hails labor reforms in Gulf states: ‘Pinoys are no slaves to anyone’

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the reform initiatives of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain to improve the working conditions for migrant workers.

During the virtual forum on labor mobility and human rights Tuesday, Duterte expressed hope that Saudi Arabia’s Labor Reform Initiative will significantly improve the working conditions of migrant workers in the Kingdom, including 800,000 Filipinos.

“Certainly, the Philippine government assumes its part of the responsibility in ensuring that our people live in safety and dignity, wherever they may be,” the Chief Executive said.

“As I have said before, the Filipino is not a slave to anyone, anywhere. I dream of the day when working abroad becomes a choice and not a need for my countrymen,” he added.

Duterte said his government remains committed to its long-term vision of providing a stable, comfortable, and secure life for all Filipinos in their own land.

“But while this remains a vision, the Philippines strongly advocates and works with all partners to realize the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM),” he also said.

GCM is a United Nations-backed intergovernmentally negotiated agreement covering all dimensions of international migration.

It was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)