BWI coordinated a gender-based violence workshop for the BMKQ Women’s Group with speakers from MADLSA, ILO and the IDWF. One of the main issues of the workshop was on the new ILO Convention 190 Violence and Harassment. A big shout out to Myla Laja – BMKQ Women Coordinatior for working with BWI in putting together the program.
The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Doha LLC(G) conducted a seminar about the recently launched Qatar Visa Center (QVC) and Qatar Law No. 14 of 2004 as amended or otherwise known as Qatar Labor Law. The event was held at Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Eng Ressie Fos, Chairman and Paralegal of BMKQ and BWI, respectively, spearheaded the three-part seminar. In the first two parts, he discussed the topics related to Qatar Labor Law and Qatar Law No. 21 of 2015, particularly about the entry, exit and residency of expatriates. The last part covered the discussion on the salient features of QVC in Manila, Philippines, which was launched on September 25, 2019.
In particular, Fos lectured on what is the meaning and purpose of QVC, the advantages and the step-by-step processes and procedures in compliance with the QVC. Moreover, he also discussed the New Immigration Law that was implemented last December 14, 2016, which has a huge impact on the operation of the sponsorship system for the expatriate workers in Qatar.
The dos and don’ts in the processing of the entry, exit and residency of the expatriates and the procedures to follow in changing jobs were also tackled.
“Having no or not enough knowledge in the law will never be an excuse! But sometimes, when people are in trouble, ignorance will always be the number one excuse. Thus, to provide the best interest of the Filipinos and other expatriates in Qatar, PICPA Doha LLC(G) initiated a first step on how to be a way of imparting knowledge to those who are in need or to those who want to learn more,” according to a statement of the organisers.
The opening and closing remarks of the highly-informative seminar were delivered by PICPA Doha LLC(G) President Elmer H. Espiritu and Christian Dave M. Barrameda.
For more information about all the upcoming events of PICPA Doha LLC(G), please visit www.picpadoha.org or you may send an e-mail to info@picpadoha.org for any inquiries.
The Bayanihan ng Manggagawa ng Konstruksyon ng Qatar or BMKQ held its 2019 General Assembly last 26 July 2019 at the Crowne Plaza in Doha, Qatar. BMKQ is a local chapter of the Philippine’s Federation of Free Workers (FFW), an affiliate of BWI. The annual assembly heard and ratified the President’s report for the year 2018-2019. In his President’s Report, Ressie Fos highlighted BMKQ’s continuing efforts in building and strengthening partnerships with the aim of promoting the rights and welfare of migrant workers in Qatar – “This is the reason why we fully support Bayanihan Qatar and other allied workers’ associations. This is why we nurture our relationships with Qatar’s Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs and our very own embassy here in Qatar and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). This is why we take part in the broader Community Leaders Forum on Workers’ Welfare – a multi-national and muti-sectoral forum created by the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs”, said Ambet Yuson – BWI General Secretary.
Elected officers for 2019-2020 are as follows: Ressie Fos (President), Joseph Catarungan (Vice President), Mags Laja (Secretary), Ian Baldesco (Treasurer), Toto Libres (Auditor), Marino Ilustrado (Public Relations Officer) and Eliseo Bermido (Business Manager). Duly approved by the body, upon the proposal of BMKQ President, local area coordinators and working committee members were appointed, among others, Willy Fajardo, Bernard Dijamo, Presal Paclebare and Mon Paranas. Local area coordinators will be in-charge with mobilizing members and initiating activities in local areas so that BMKQ activities and programs shall be decentralized. The newly elected officers and leaders were sworn into office by Marco Polo Ferrer, BWI’s Community Liaison Officer for Qatar, witnessed by the Philippine Labor Attaché, Honorable David Des Dicang.
Immediately after the BMKQ assembly, the meeting of the Council of Leaders of Bayanihan Qatar was held in the same venue. Bayanihan Qatar is a federation of 22 grassroots organizations of Filipino migrant workers. Including its partners organizations, the organization mobilizes about 35 organizations in various programs to provide assistance to distressed workers. Bayanihan Qatar is a result of BMKQ’s effort to build broader unity of Filipino migrant workers in Qatar, especially those that are from the construction sector, domestic workers, hospitality workers and other skilled and semi-skilled workers. It’s newly re-elected President, Jerry Ronquillo, is also the head of BMKQ’s Education Committee.
Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar (BMKQ), a group of Filipinos working in the construction sector and related fields in Qatar, held its general assembly and election of new set of a office-bearers at a gathering held in Sapphire Hotel on Friday.
Around 109 people attended the assembly. Philippine labour attache to Qatar David Des Dicang and leaders of various community groups were also present. Following the election, the seven members of its new set of office-bearers were officially named elected by the group’s advisers and members of this year’s commission on elections. The roster of new BMKQ office-bearers includes Ressie Fos as President, Joseph Catarungan as Vice-President, Grace Morales as Secretary, Anneza Ali as Treasurer, Jovanie Cario as Auditor, Anthony Laquihon as Public Relations Officer and Jovelyn Pabatao as Business Manager.
The event also featured various presentations and official welcoming of the new members of BMKQ.
As Qatar celebrates the annual National Sports Day, this year’s celebration for Asian communities is held at Asian Town on February 14, 2017. The event was joined by members of BMKQ who participated in many sports activities.
Personal and social development is one of the major programs of the organization by promoting personal and social development through career & professional development trainings, sporting events and other related activities.
After a year from its founding, the Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar (BMKQ) held its First General Assembly at Bacolod Chicken Inasal, located at Barwa Building in Al Sadd, City of Doha, on October 21, 2016. The general assembly was attended by more than fifty pioneering members from the construction sector.
The highlights of the program included oath-taking ceremony of the first BMKQ elected officials, presentation of BMKQ annual programs and plans, and also a short discussion about the programs and services of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) presented by its Welfare Officer – Mrs. Leonila Robillos.