DOHA — Filipino community leaders and migrant workers gathered in Doha on August 28, 2026, for an intensive day-long training program focused on Qatar labor laws, workplace safety, financial literacy, and organizational leadership skills.
The seminar, held at the Ministry of Labour Office in West Bay, was organized by the Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar (BMKQ) with support from the Workers Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF) and Building Wood Workers International (BWI).
The program brought together 28 participants, including leaders and members from various Filipino community organizations representing the construction, domestic work, administrative, and public sectors—specifically from BIMAAK, SEEC, and GSSI.
Empowering Workers Through Rights Awareness
Facilitated by BMKQ alongside the Overseas Filipino Investors and Entrepreneurs Movement (OFIE-M) and the Philippine Association of Safety Engineers (PHASE Qatar), the session aimed to strengthen awareness of migrant workers’ rights and responsibilities. The sessions were led by Engr. Ressie Fos on rights and obligations, Ms. Cheryl Marielou V. Cayaban on the Domestic Workers Law, Engr. Benjun G. Buat on heat stress awareness, Engr. Jason B. Quizon on financial literacy, and Dr. Raymond E. Carasig on organizational leadership skills.
BMKQ President – Mr. Joseph O. Catarungan
Participants received detailed briefings on core Qatari legislation, including Law Nos. 14 of 2004 and 21 of 2015, alongside regulations covering domestic workers and recent legal updates. Resource speakers also addressed heat stress prevention, emergency response guidelines, and workplace safety protocols.
Strong Focus on Financial Literacy
Financial literacy emerged as a standout component of the workshop, drawing high engagement and overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees. Delivered under the WSIF Financial Literacy Program, the sessions introduced foundational savings and financial planning principles, which participants identified as critical for long-term stability.
Evaluation results underscored the success of the initiative. Out of the participants who completed feedback forms, 100% rated the overall satisfaction as either “Excellent” or “Very Good,” with nearly 90% expressing high confidence in applying their new knowledge.
Closing the event, BMKQ President Joseph O. Catarungan emphasized the organization’s ongoing commitment to partnering with Qatari authorities and community organizations to champion migrant worker welfare and capacity-building initiatives in the country.
Additional support was provided by Ms. Angel ‘Mavs’ Ardeza as documentation officer, alongside Ms. Vicky Musngi and Ms. Rhea Flor de Leon, who served as the secretariat.