Mr. Kayonde Abdallah, President of Migrant Workers’ Voice and International Director for Ugandan Migrant Workers, along with Mr. Abdulatif Kaloddo, Chief Coordinator for Uganda Labour Companies, conducted a courtesy visit to the Philippines Migrant Workers Office (PMWO) in Riyadh. The delegation met with Mr. Antonio M. Mutuc, JR, the head of the Department of Labor at the PMWO.
Among the key points of Discussion:
The meeting centered on the Philippines’ successful model for migrant worker welfare administration (OWWA), leadership development, and rights protection. Specific topics included:
Sustainability of the Philippine Program:
Examining the long-term viability of the Philippines’ welfare programs for its nationals in the Gulf States.
Separation of Labor and Consular Departments:
Understanding how the Philippines effectively manages labor disputes through the separation of labor and consular functions.
Financial Investment in Welfare:
Recognizing the significant investment of approximately $1Million USD per month by the Philippines in welfare management for its workers in Saudi Arabia.
Migrant Worker Contributions:
Highlighting the financial contributions of Filipino migrant workers that support welfare programs.Among others
Emphasis on Government Support
Mr. Mutuc emphasized that the Philippines’ success in supporting its over 1 million workers in Saudi Arabia is due to a dedicated budget, the political will of the government, and the contributions of the workers themselves in form of a Provident Fund.
These resources enable the Philippines to provide a safety net for workers facing risks, including access to loans, social benefits, insurance, and death/accidental benefits through a Provident Fund.
Implications for Uganda
With approximately 200,000 Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, the visit aimed to glean insights from the Philippines’ experience to improve the welfare and protection of Ugandan workers in the region. The discussions focused on strategies that Uganda could adopt to better support its workforce abroad, drawing from the Philippines’ established framework and resources.The president is in Saudi for a special Visibility Visit, follow up and Support for Ugandans in distress and the sick aiding them return home.
