The Philippines and United Arab Emirates signed a new labor accord, the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Tuesday, March 2.

DOLE Director Rolly Francia said household service workers may be deployed to the Arab country, which will be effective by the end of the month.

In 2014, the UAE halted foreign embassies from verifying the contracts of their nationals applying as household workers. Contract verification is required by Philippine laws.

This issue, in effect, stopped Filipino domestic workers from legally leaving for UAE.

In a statement on Tuesday, DOLE said Filipino household workers leaving for UAE will now be covered by a unified employment contract, where the employer and foreign and local recruitment agencies will be held liable should anything happen to Filipino workers.

The PH-UAE memorandum of understanding on labor cooperation will also be amended to include the following provisions:

• The right of the domestic worker to take at least 8 continuous hours of sleep every night
• The right of the domestic worker to take a break that is paid, outside the residence of the employer at least one full day every week
• The right of the domestic worker to keep his/her passport or identification documents and the employer is not allowed to hold them
• The employer shall allow the domestic worker to have and use cellular phones and other communication devices and the employer is prohibited from confiscating them
• Opening of a bank account under the name of the domestic worker for payment of salary
• Allowing domestic workers to cook their own food.

Under the agreement, Philippine Overseas Labor Offices will also be notified by the UAE government whenever a visit visa is converted to an employment visa for Filipino domestic workers. DOLE, however, reiterated its stand to deploy workers through legal means. – Rappler.com