RIYADH — Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago has said 2013 will be significant for the protection of the rights of household workers, as the Philippines and Saudi Arabia are set to sign the bilateral agreement on the recruitment and protection of household workers. Tago was speaking at the commemoration of Labor Day at the Philippines Embassy. He said the deal would formally recognize the standard employment agreement and its provisions, including the one day rest; $400 minimum salary for household workers; and opening of bank accounts for them. The DOLE secretary will visit the Kingdom during May to sign the agreement. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh commemorated Labor Day with reading of messages from Philippine officials, honoring donors to the Bahay Kalinga, and screening of the movie “Tanging Ina”. Tago referred the message of the president and asked the mission officials to rise to the challenge and serve the public. He also explained the importance of resolving disputes between employees and employers through local avenues provided by Saudi laws and to avoid absconding without filing complaints with the appropriate authorities. The embassy officials also held a flag raising ceremony featuring the reading of the messages from the president, the secretary of labor and employment and the head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Cesar Guarin, a Filipino runner who is in Saudi Arabia as part of his sixth leg of his global run, stressed in his message that he was running round the world as a way to thank the Filipinos all over the globe. Tago hoped that Guarin would serve as a source of inspiration to all Filipinos in the Kingdom. Labor Attache Adam Musa read the message of Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. Riyadh-based Welfare Officer Romeo C. Pablo read the message of OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon. Musa hosted a breakfast in honor of individuals who donated to the Bahay Kalinga, during which a short discussion on various issues was held. — SG
