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MANILA: Filipino nurses, architects, and engineers will have more job opportunities in Qatar, the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers said on Friday, as it agreed with the Gulf state to improve labor protections for expat workers.

Most of the about 2 million overseas Filipino workers live and work in Gulf countries, especially �������� and the UAE. Qatar employs about 264,000 of them, annually contributing remittance inflows to the Philippines to the tune of $900 million.

The majority of Filipinos based there have been employed in the construction and service sectors but following this week’s meeting of the Philippines and Qatar Joint Committee in Pasay City, the opportunities are going to be expanded.

“Qatar expressed its interest to hire more skilled Filipino workers, such as nurses, architects, and engineers. Both sides agreed to work together to facilitate the deployment of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) under improved terms and conditions,” the DMW said in a statement.

“DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan and Qatar Ministry of Labor Assistant Undersecretary Sheika Najha Abdulrahman Al-Thani signed the joint statement, which featured significant breakthroughs in promoting the rights and welfare of OFWs.”

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac welcomed the agreements forged during the meeting as “milestones in ensuring the security and well-being of Filipinos.”

According to the joint statement, the countries have adopted improved employment contracts, offering Filipino workers better conditions.

“The enhanced employment contract for Filipino workers in Qatar prescribes improved working conditions, the entitlement of workers to end-of-service benefits that are higher compared with other countries, medical and social care, and decent accommodation that respect workers’ cultural and religious needs,” it said.

“The contract protects the job security of workers by stipulating a shorter probationary period of three months for new workers and by establishing clear guidelines for contract termination by both the employer and the worker.”

The DMW and the Qatari Ministry of Labor also announced the establishment of a joint committee to “review and enhance” existing and pending bilateral labor agreements for “fair and ethical recruitment, safe migration, and decent work for migrant workers.”