DOHA: For the first time in Qatar, Filipino domestic workers and local Arab employers awards event washeld by Overseas Filipino forum.
Philippine migrant workers' rights group Advocates & Keepers, an overseas Filipino workers forum Inc (AKO OFW Inc) recently held its first-ever Gawad Ulirang Mangagawa Awards (Exemplary Workers Awards) acknowledging the services of Filipino domestic workers who have served the same local employer for at least 10 years as well as to the local employers wholawfully employed and treated Filipino HSWs as a family for a minimum of 10 years.
Special recognition was also given to Philippine Recruitment Agencies (PRA) and Foreign Recruitment Agencies (FRA) who had no unresolved cases with the PhilippineDepartment of Migrant Workers (DMW) for the past two years.
The event was hosted by AKO OFW Qatar Chapter President Mary Jill Lluz and was graced by the Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Lillibeth Pono and Philippine Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Qatar Head of Assistance to Nationals Cherry Rhose Curreg as a guest of honour.
Ambassador Lillibeth Pono lauded the event for its uniqueness and relevance to the inspiring stories of the deserving awardees.
Confirmation of the awardees was made by visiting AKO OFW National President Marcia Sadicon who flew in from Manila for the occasion and also officiated the tedious selection process. Joining Sadicon was AKO OFW National Vice Chairman for Overseas Affairs, Doha-based Dr Joseph Timothy Rivera.
Ulirang Kasambahay award recipients were Jovita Ariola Condino who served her employer for 18 years, Norie T Ablas who loyally served her employer's family for more than 32 years and spouses Romeo Balgoa and Amelia Monegro who jointly served one family for 37 years.
Their respective employers namelyAhmad Ismael Chiekha, Ali Saleh Khamis Alsulaiti and Abdeslam Aboumalik received their corresponding Ulirang Employer Awards.
Ulirang PRA awardees were 1) Mirben International Manpower Services;2) Non-stop Overseas Employment Corporation; 3) Quantum-Leap International Manpower Recruitment Agency; 4) Mission Way Manpower Services Inc; and 5) M and M Placement International Inc.
Doha-based Ulirang FRA awardees included 1) Doha Torch Manpower; 2) Ahla Makan Manpower,3) Ping Manpower; 4) Al Rehab Manpower; and5) Al Nawaras Manpower.
Patrons behind the success of this unique of its nature kind of event were acknowledged including Nine Dots Events CEO Abdul Aziz Al-Ishaq; and C Wallet, CEO Michael Javier.
Among others whose services were recognized included Mabuhay Filipino Restaurant; Brittany International; MetLife; and Fitzone.
AKO OFW was established in 2015 and is currently present in more than 37 countries with an active membership of more than 220,000 OFWs.
