UAE eyes ‘dynamic’ labor pact with Phl

ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has vowed to protect the welfare of Filipinos working in this progressive Arab nation.

Foreign affairs minister Andar Mohammed Gargash said their government is currently working on a labor law for the benefit of Filipino workers in the UAE.

Earlier, the UAE donated $10 billion to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

“The issue of labor is a work in progress in the next years. We will improve our law and conditions,” Gargash told a group of reporters from over 60 countries.

A bilateral agreement that would ensure the rights of Filipino domestic workers in the UAE – patterned after the Philippines’ agreement with Saudi Arabia – was reportedly drafted last month.

The Saudi Arabia deal forged last May assures Filipino housemaids a minimum wage of $400 a month. They are also entitled to weekly days off and rest periods, paid annual leave and humane treatment.

The same formula was supposedly being eyed to address issues like underpayment, contract substitution, overwork and mistreatment of maids in the UAE.

But Gargash explained that the UAE wanted to come up with a more dynamic policy that would address the needs not only of domestic helpers but also of other Filipino workers in various fields.

“We are seeing the Filipino community growing in UAE. People from various fields like medical profession are coming in. So it’s not just limited to the sector of domestic workers,” he explained.

Because of this trend, the minister said the UAE wants to come up with a practical policy that is not limited to domestic helpers.

“It’s an ongoing process. Situation may be different after a few years and we want a non-ending (agreement),” Gargash said.

“We are very cognizant of the situation of Filipino workers,” he added.

The UAE is celebrating its 42nd founding anniversary on Monday, Dec. 2. Dubai was picked to host the World Expo in 2020, becoming the first Middle Eastern city to win a bid in the event’s 162-year history.