Jun 5, 2026 | News
DOHA — In a major effort to uplift and educate the migrant workforce in Qatar, a comprehensive empowerment seminar was held on June 5, 2026, equipping participants with critical knowledge on labor rights, workplace safety, and financial management.
The day-long event was organized by the Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksiyon ng Qatar (BMKQ), with the vital backing of the Workers Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF), Ministry of Labor (MoL), and Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI). Hosted at the MoL, the session ran from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and was attended by members of Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra, Apayao, and Kalinga (BIMAAK), a Filipino regional organization representing the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) in the Philippines.
A Comprehensive Approach to Workers Welfare
The seminar was structured into four distinct, high-impact sessions designed to address the most pressing needs of migrant workers living and working in Qatar.
- Know Your Rights and Obligations
The opening session focused heavily on navigating Qatar’s Labor, Domestic, and Residency Laws. Facilitated by Engr. Jerry Ronquillo, participants received practical guidance on legal protections, labor rights, and official pathways for dispute resolution.
The dialogue was further enriched by technical insights from BMKQ Adviser Engr. Ressie Fos, sparking an active Q&A session where workers openly discussed real-world legal scenarios.
- Beat the Heat: Heat Stress Awareness
With rising summer temperatures, workplace safety took center stage in the second session. Facilitated by Jayson Avila, the segment broke down the complexities of heat-related illnesses into simple, actionable steps. Workers learned how to identify early signs of heat exhaustion and implement life-saving preventive measures in their daily routines.
This safety drive directly aligns with the current MoL’s, WSIF’s, and BWI’s Summer Heat Stress Awareness Campaign, a crucial national initiative designed to protect outdoor laborers during Qatar’s peak summer months.
- Securing the Future: Financial Literacy
Under the umbrella of the WSIF Programme, Dr. Raymond Carasig led an interactive workshop on the fundamentals of financial literacy. It can be recalled that BMKQ has consistently paved the way in this area, previously leading the roll-out of the WSIF Financial Literacy Program for migrant workers across Qatar, with a special emphasis on empowering blue-collar workers.
Moving beyond theory, the session involved practical exercises focused on:
- Creating realistic monthly budgets.
- Strategies for consistent savings.
- Responsible debt management.
- Long-term financial planning for life after overseas employment.
- Community and Organization Building
The seminar concluded with a Pre-Membership Orientation led by BMKQ Vice President Malou Valientes. She outlined the organization’s ongoing programs, support services, and community initiatives. The day ended on a high note for the group, with three new participants formally registering as BMKQ members to join the advocacy.
Collaborative Progress
By bridging the gap between government regulations and grassroots workers, the collaboration between BMKQ, WSIF, BWI, and the Ministry of Labor highlights a continuous commitment to improving the lives of expatriates in Qatar. Organizers hope to replicate this educational model across other community organizations in the coming months.
May 2, 2026 | News
DOHA — Several migrant community groups and leaders, including three prominent Filipino organizations, have been honored by Qatar’s Workers Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF) for their outstanding service to blue-collar workers. The accolades were presented during an International Labor Day celebration on May 1 at the Rosewood Hotel Doha in Lusail, jointly hosted by the WSIF, the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksiyon ng Qatar (BMKQ), an organization dedicated to migrant workers in the construction industry and allied sectors, was among the primary awardees. The group was recognized for its active involvement in initiatives supporting the WSIF, particularly programs aimed at uplifting migrant workers in the country’s blue-collar sector. BMKQ spearheaded the rollout of WSIF’s Financial Literacy Program for migrant workers in Qatar—with a special focus on blue-collar workers, which kicked off in December 19, 2025.
BMKQ President Joseph O. Catarungan accepted the plaque of appreciation alongside the group’s past President, Engr. Meliza Ortiguerra, and PRO, Engr. Elenie Nicomedes.
The award was presented by WSIF Executive Director Kholoud Saif Al-Kubaisi, who was joined by ILO Qatar Director Francesco d’Ovidio and IOM Qatar Office Migration Management Officer Roula Hamati.
Two other major Filipino community groups, Bayanihan Qatar and the Bayanihang Domestic Workers Qatar (BDWQ), were also recognized for their community welfare efforts. The awards were not limited to the Filipino community, as the WSIF also honored several other migrant community organizations from Africa and South Asia for their grassroots support.
Ms. Rhoselyn Dolloso, BMKQ Secretary, accepts the award on behalf of Bayanihan Qatar (BQ) President, Mr. Jerry Ronquillo.
BDWQ officers and members accept the award, presented by WSIF Executive Director Ms. Kholoud Al Kubaisi.
In the individual category, Engr. Ressie Fos received special recognition for his community leadership and consistent collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Labor and the WSIF in implementing various welfare programs for the expatriate workforce.
Qatar has introduced a series of labor reforms in recent years, with the WSIF playing a key role in ensuring migrant workers receive unpaid wages and financial support.
Jan 31, 2026 | News
DOHA, Jan 30, 2026 – The BMKQ executive officers and committees convened on Saturday to consolidate their strategic plan for 2026, holding action planning sessions at the Ministry of Labor’s Al Huda Tower in Westbay.
The workshop, facilitated by Dr. Raymond Carasig and Engr. Ressie Fos, was organized alongside the Workers Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF) planning sessions for the Financial Literacy Program for migrant workers in Qatar.
BMKQ outlined a series of initiatives to be rolled out throughout the year, including the full implementation of the WSIF-initiated Financial Literacy Program, expansion of membership, and a comprehensive slate of education and training activities. The organization also pledged to strengthen welfare and outreach programs, conduct paralegal trainings and awareness sessions on laws in Qatar and the Philippines relevant to migrant workers, and accelerate the digitalization of its services to enhance its online presence.
Mr. Joseph Catarungan, President of BMKQ, announced the organization’s commitment to launching programs that will benefit its members, emphasizing the importance of forging a stronger partnership with the Qatar government. The collaboration aims to create initiatives that support migrant worker communities while ensuring full compliance with Qatar’s laws and local regulations.
Mr. Catarungan reflected on a notable milestone achieved earlier this month when BMKQ, together with OFIE-M Qatar and Pinoy WISE Qatar, led an introductory session on financial education for Qatar Foundation workers. The event, held on January 17, 2026, at Qatar Foundation, was organized and initiated by WSIF, the Ministry of Labor, Qatar Foundation, and BWI, marking a significant step forward in empowering migrant workers with essential financial knowledge.
During the meeting, Mr. Catarungan called upon the executive council to actively support the organization’s 2026 goals, underscoring the vital role of volunteerism and dedication in achieving BMKQ’s mission for the year ahead.
The action plans developed during each committee’s workshop and discussions will be integrated into BMKQ’s 2026 Strategic Plan.
Jan 17, 2026 | News
DOHA, Jan 17, 2026 – More than 150 workers at Qatar Foundation took part in a multi-agency seminar on Saturday aimed at bolstering the financial, physical, and mental well-being of the country’s migrant workforce.
The event, held at Awsaj Academy within the Qatar Foundation (QF) campus, was organized through a collaboration between Qatar’s Ministry of Labour, Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF), Qatar Foundation, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI).
Financial Empowerment
The first part of the seminar was the introduction of Financial Literacy Program for migrant workers. The initiative, spearheaded by WSIF, was launched in 19th December 2025, kicks off the milestone of empowering migrant workers in Qatar giving more focus on the blue-collar workers by educating them on financial personal and household management. WSIF has partnered with BMKQ, BWI, and IDWF in the preparation of materials and implementation of the program, while BMKQ expanded the collaboration to Overseas Filipino Investors and Entrepreneurs Movement (OFIE-M) Qatar and Pinoy Worldwide Initiative for Investment, Savings, and Entrepreneurship (PinoyWISE) International Qatar.
Dr. Raymond Carasig, chairman of the BMKQ Education and Training Committee, provided an overview of the program’s objectives. Following the introduction, Ferlita Pabalan, President of PinoyWISE, led the first instructional module, which focused on the practicalities of managing a financial life while working abroad.
Safety and Mental Wellness
Beyond finances, the seminar addressed critical life skills. BWI representative Bimal briefed attendees on essential occupational health and safety protocols. To address the emotional challenges of migration, the group “Gulf Good Vibes” facilitated a session on stress management, providing workers with actionable tools to maintain mental health while living far from home.
Concluding at noon, the session represents the latest in a series of collaborative initiatives in Qatar aimed at strengthening support systems for the nation’s diverse international workforce.
Jan 16, 2026 | News
DOHA — The Overseas Filipino Investors and Entrepreneurs Movement (OFIE-M) Qatar opened its 2026 activities with a leadership seminar designed to strengthen governance practices and improve coordination among its officers, board members and committees.
The half-day session, held on 16 January 2026 at Bistro Bistro in the Radisson Blu Hotel, brought together 17 participants for the workshop titled “From Roles to Results: How OFIE-M Officers and Committees Work as One.” The event was organized by the group’s Events Committee chaired by Dr. Raymond Carasig.
Engr. Ressie Fos, PMP, RMP, a senior adviser to BMKQ, served as the resource speaker. He said BMKQ’s involvement supports its advocacy for leadership development, organizational discipline and structured decision-making in migrant-led groups.
Fos delivered five modules covering leadership roles, committee functions, concept note preparation, proposal design and decision-making systems. The sessions highlighted clear role delineation, the use of governance tools such as the RACI framework, and the importance of documentation in organizational operations.
OFIE-M president Kristine Zapanta opened the program, stressing the need for stronger alignment across leadership bodies as the organization expands its initiatives for 2026.
Despite a 30‑minute delayed start, the seminar finished close to schedule after organizers shortened the break and removed interactive exercises to ensure full content delivery.
Participants later signed OFIE-M’s Terms of Reference and a Board Resolution before receiving certificates. Fos was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his contribution to the group’s capacity‑building efforts.
Attendees cited the usefulness of practical governance tools, structured proposal processes and the emphasis on documentation, describing the seminar as a meaningful step toward strengthening governance capacity within the Filipino community in Qatar.
The event was OFIE-M’s first major activity of the year and set the tone for a more coordinated and strategy‑driven 2026.
OFIE-M Qatar is a development and implementation partner of the Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF) for its Financial Literacy Program for migrant workers. Recently, Carasig represented the organization in an introductory financial education session for Qatar Foundation workers organized by WSIF, the Ministry of Labor and BWI.
Dec 22, 2025 | News
Qatar’s Workers Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF) has launched a major financial literacy programme designed to strengthen money‑management skills among migrant workers, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to support and empower its blue‑collar workforce.
DOHA, Dec 19, 2025 — Qatar’s Workers Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF) on Friday launched financial literacy programme aimed at strengthening money-management skills among migrant workers, particularly those in blue collar sectors.
The programme was unveiled at the Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha before an audience of around 150 migrant workers, many of them leaders of South Asian and African community organisations.
WSIF developed the initiative in partnership with Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksiyon ng Qatar (BMKQ), the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF). BMKQ also expanded its collaboration to include Overseas Filipino Investors and Entrepreneurs Movement (OFIE-M) Qatar and Pinoy Worldwide Initiative for Investment, Savings, and Entrepreneurship (PinoyWISE) International Qatar.
SWIF Executive Director – Ms. Kholoud Al Kubaisi delivers her keynote message during the WSIF Financial Literacy Program for Migrant Workers in Qatar launching held at Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha on 19 December 2025. [Photo: WSIF]
During the launch, WSIF Executive Director, Ms. Kholoud Saif Al Kubaisi, who served as guest of honour, emphasized the program’s importance at a time when many migrant workers are seeking to build financial stability and better support their families.
Kubaisi also highlighted the significance of the occasion for BMKQ, which is marking its 10th anniversary and holding its General Assembly later in the day. “It is an honour for me to be with you on this momentous occasion,” she said, congratulating BMKQ on a decade of service. She praised the organisation’s “sustained education and organizing efforts” that have “delivered tangible benefits to Filipino workers in Qatar,” reaffirming WSIF’s commitment to supporting migrant communities nationwide.
Group photo of participants with WSIF Executive Director – Ms. Kholoud Al Kubaisi
The Financial Literacy Program features three stages, each comprising an average of seven modules. Dr. Raymond E. Carasig, BMKQ’s lead for education and training, presented the program roadmap during the event.
Participants were introduced to the first two modules under Stage 1, Module 1 – Understanding Your Financial Life Abroad and Module 2 – The Money Mindset. The sessions, facilitated by Ferlita Young of PinoyWISE International Qatar and Jayson Quizon of OFIE M Qatar, included self-assessment workshops that highlighted the importance of financial planning for migrant workers.
From L-R: WSIF Executive Director – Ms. Kholoud Al Kubaisi, Mooza Saeed Al Mosallam (WSIF), Joseph O. Catarungan (BMKQ President), and Salem Al Mohanadi of the Ministry of Labor. [Photo: WSIF]
BMKQ President Joseph O. Catarungan shared that WSIF and its partners are planning to launch a Training of Trainers (ToT) program in early 2026. This initiative will empower community organizations to tailor the financial literacy modules to their unique local circumstances, the realities in workers’ home countries, and reintegration challenges. He encouraged those interested in joining the group of trainers to sign up with the secretariat.
The Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund is a government body established under Law No. 17 of 2018 to safeguard workers’ rights in Qatar. The Fund aims to support, secure, and care for workers by ensuring they receive their financial dues, particularly in cases resolved by Labour Dispute Settlement Committees. WSIF also contributes to improving working conditions and promoting a safe and healthy work environment as part of Qatar’s broader labour reforms and its commitments under Qatar National Vision 2030.
