PHILIPPINES SHARES BEST LABOR MIGRATION PRACTICES WITH AFRICA

(DFA-OMWA Director Querobine D. Laccay speaks about PH labor migration experience in a workshop organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya on 2-5 October 2023 in Nairobi).

NAIROBI, 06 October 2023 – The Philippines shared its best migration practices with countries in the East and Horn of Africa in a workshop organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya Office on 2-5 October in Nairobi.

Director Querobine D. Laccay of the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Migrant Workers Affairs shared an overview of the Philippines’ relevant labor, social security and human rights legislation, experience and practices for the protection of Overseas Filipinos at the workshop titled “Consular/Labor Attaché/Diaspora Collaboration for the Protection of Rights of Migrant Workers in Countries of Destination”.

She highlighted the importance of different government agencies working closely together during all stages of the labor migration cycle, the significance of bilateral labor agreements as well as regional and multilateral conventions, in protecting migrants.   

She also noted the necessity of collaboration with the Filipino diaspora and with other ASEAN Member States, especially in times of crisis.

During the workshop, the IOM cited the Philippines’ important role in crafting the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and the “Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster” by the Migrants in Countries Crisis (MICIC) Initiative.

The Philippines is a GCM Champion country and shares its policies and best practices on the protection of labor migrants internationally.

Countries represented in the workshop included Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.  In addition to the Philippines, Bangladesh also shared its experiences and best practices. END

NEW FILCOM-KENYA OFFICERS SWORN IN

 NAIROBI, 14 September 2023 – The new set of officers of the Filipino Community in Kenya (Filcom-Kenya) took their oath of office before Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang at the Philippine Embassy on 14 September 2023.

Ms. Laureta A.-van der Vliet, Ms. Rachel G. Arciaga, and Fr. Norman Labutan, SVD will serve as Filcom-Kenya Executive Board Members until 2025.

Prior to their oath-taking ceremony, outgoing Filcom-Kenya officers Mr. Jesus Lopez, Mr. Arnie Umayam, Ms. Rosalinda Ladha, and Ms. Pamela Muijtjens (represented by Ms. Bernadette Umayam) were recognized by Ambassador Tang for their leadership, service to the Filipino community in Kenya, and invaluable contributions to the various projects of the Embassy.

There are around 200 Filipinos in Kenya. The Filcom-Kenya Executive Board works closely with the Embassy to promote the welfare of Filipinos in the country. END

From left: PH Ambassador Tang with the new Filcom-Kenya officers Ms. Rachel G. Arciaga, Fr. Norman Labutan, SVD, and Ms. Laureta A.-van der Vliet

PH Ambassador Tang (third from left) and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Louie Dane Merced (second from left) with the outgoing Filcom-Kenya officers Mr. Jesus Lopez, Ms. Rosalinda Ladha, Mr. Arnie Umayam, and Ms. Bernadette Umayam, who represented Ms. Pamela Muijtjens