Manila: The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have renewed their commitment to further enhance labor cooperation while pushing reforms that would enhance protection mechanisms for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state.
According to Philippines News Agency, the two nations agreed to strengthen fair labor practices during the Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) in Pasig City on Thursday.
"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," DMW Undersecretary Jainal Rasul Jr., who led the Philippine delegation, said.
"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," he added.
The meeting, organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), centered on ongoing efforts to streamline migration processes and improve welfare and protection mechanisms for OFWs in the UAE. It was held in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to uphold the rights and dignity of Filipino workers abroad.
The JCM highlighted discussions on updates on UAE labor laws and regulations, the development of an online Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) module for domestic workers, verification of employment documents for recruitment agencies under TADBEER sponsorship, the establishment of a Centralized Official Document Processing System for Domestic Worker recruitment, and the DMW Advisory No. 25., series of 2025, or the Enhanced Reform Programs for Filipino Domestic Workers.
This sponsorship refers to a system under the UAE's domestic worker management program, called TADBEER, which is regulated by its Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Under the system are TADBEER centers or government-licensed service centers in the UAE established to manage the recruitment, training, deployment, and welfare of domestic workers, including housemaids, drivers, nannies, and cooks, among others.
This system was introduced to replace the old private recruitment system and ensure ethical recruitment, worker protection, and legal compliance. The UAE delegation, led by Khalil Yousif Alkhoori, Undersecretary for Labour Market Operations and Emiratization, and UAE Ambassador to the Philippines, Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi, expressed continued support for the Philippines' reform agenda and highlighted the UAE's updated labor laws promoting worker welfare.
Both the Philippines and UAE officials also agreed to sustain policy dialogue and technical collaboration to ensure that labor migration processes remain transparent and efficient to protect both workers and employers.
