Filipino workers cited in Qatari labor awards

SCREENGRAB from The Peninsula Qatar

In celebration of Labor Day on Sunday, the efforts of Filipino workers in Qatar were recognized in the Labor Welfare Awards held during the third annual Labor Rights Protection Conference at The St. Regis Hotel in Doha.

Wilfredo Santos, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar,  received the “Best Community Award” trophy on behalf of the Filipino workers’  community from Sheikh Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of media conglomerate Dar Al Sharq Group.

The dynamic, undivided, and ever-patriotic OFW community was handpicked for being one of the most organized communities that persist in preserving harmonious communication with designated government agencies, such as the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration in the Gulf state.

In a report by local media site The Peninsula Qatar, Santos praised the organizers for the recognition. “On behalf of the Filipino community in Qatar, I am very much honored to receive the “Best Community Award” during the opening ceremony of the Labor Rights Protection Conference.”

“This award is a testament to the smooth coordination between the Filipino community, the Embassy, including POLO-OWWA, and other stakeholders. Being the third largest expatriate community in Qatar, there is a huge responsibility among us to be productive members of our host country. This award then is recognition of that group effort. Thank you to the organizers and board of judges and mabuhay to our kababayans,” Santos said in his speech.

It was the first award of its kind by Dar Al Sharq that coincided with the Philippines’ Labor Day celebration. Gianna Francesca Catolico