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APF members sign partnership to support migrant workers

Graphic: CHR Chairperson addresses the gathering

The agreement covers ten areas of cooperation and will deliver additional support for the 250,000 Filipino workers in Qatar.

The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) and Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) have signed a cooperation agreement to bolster protection for the rights of their citizens in both countries.

The agreement covers ten areas of cooperation and will deliver additional support for the 250,000 Filipino workers in Qatar, CHR Chairperson Jose Luis Martin 'Chito' Gascon told the media at the signing ceremony.


Migrant workers can directly come to us. When we receive complaints, we directly contact the company or the ministry ... then we take action to help them solve the problem.

National Human Rights Committee of Qatar Logo Dr Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairperson, National Human Rights Committee of Qatar

NHRC Chairperson Dr Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri said the NHRC had previously established an office for Filipino workers and their family members in Qatar.

However, he stressed his desire to quickly form a working group to implement the partnership agreement.

He also expressed his hope that both national human rights institutions could work together to identify and address the root cause of the problems faced by migrant workers, whether the issues originate in the Philippines or Qatar.


Graphic: The two NHRI Chairpersons exchange the signed partnership agreement


CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel said that Filipino workers should continue to seek assistance from their embassy in Doha, although the new agreement provided an important additional mechanism for workers to seek information and support.

"If you have an institution in that country advocating for the rights of your workers, then you can be assured it will be addressed," Pimentel said.

Under the agreement, the CHR has pledged to protect the rights of Qatari nationals in the Philippines.

The agreement was signed on 9 January 2019 at a ceremony hosted by the CHR at its central office in Quezon City.

It will run for three years, to be renewed with the consent of both national human rights institutions.

Date: 10 January 2019


Image credits

  1. CHR Chairperson addresses the gathering - Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
  2. The two NHRI Chairpersons exchange the signed partnership agreement - Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines