MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay promised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that should he win the presidency, he will pursue “good working relations” with Middle East countries. 

In a statement on Wednesday, January 13, Binay reiterated his promise that his administration will prioritize providing jobs in the Philippines so that overseas employment “becomes a matter of choice and not necessity.”  

The Vice President is currently on a 3-day trip to the UAE, where 246,231 OFWs were deployed in 2014, according to the latest data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). 

On Tuesday, Binay was the guest of honor at a Filipino community event hosted by the Bayanihan Council in Abu Dhabi.

“Mahirap higitan ang uri ng pagmamahal na araw-araw ninyong inaalay. Ang paglaban sa lungkot at pangungulila sa inyong pamilya at sariling tahanan, ang hirap ng kondisyon ng trabaho sa ibang bayan, ang mga pangambang bunga ng pagiging isang dayuhan – ilan lamang ito sa araw-araw ninyong pagsubok bilang isang OFW,” said Binay, who used to be the presidential adviser on OFW concerns until his resignation in June 2015.  

(It’s hard to measure up to the amount of love you offer every day. Fighting the sadness and the longing for your families, the difficulty of working abroad, the anxiety brought about by being a foreigner – these are just some of your daily struggles as OFWs.)

While he did not specify how, Binay promised the OFWs in the audience that he will improve government efforts to assist distressed migrant workers should he win as president. (READ: The Leader I Want: Jejomar Binay’s to-fix list for 2016) 

“Lubos ang aking paninindigan na uuwi kayo sa isang maunlad at mapagkalingang Pilipinas, kung saan ang maginhawang buhay ay makakamit sa sarili nating bayan, kapiling ang bawat Pilipinong minamahal ninyo sa buhay,” he said.

(I have a strong conviction that you will come home to an improved and caring Philippines, wherein a comfortable life can be achieved at home and with your loved ones.)

Binay also had lunch with 39 wards of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Abu Dhabi, where the Vice President dined with OFWs who became victims of maltreatment and human trafficking. (READ: Binay: No gov’t shortcomings in effort to save Joselito Zapanta)

He asked his daughter Senator Nancy Binay, who is with the Vice President during the trip, to consider creating a special assistance fund for undocumented OFWs.

Meeting with the UAE leaders

Meeting w/ UAE Minister of Labour Saqr Ghobash pic.twitter.com/Wpx3g7kH7P

— Nancy Binay (@nancybinay) January 13, 2016

On Tuesday, Binay met with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyen, Abu Dahbi crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces.  

The Vice President described the 30-minute meeting as “very warm and cordial.”

“The meeting was a surprise, we were told only this (Tuesday) morning. It wasn’t part of the schedule. But it’s a good opportunity,” said Binay.​

According to the Vice President, he and Sheikh Mohammed discussed investment opportunities in power and infrastructure in the Philippines. 

Binay added that the crown prince is interested to visit the Philippines and that Sheikh Mohammed wants the country to know that the “UAE [is] grateful to the Filipinos who live and work here.”

Binay met with UAE labor minister Shaqr Ghobash as well to discuss 3 new UAE labor decrees, which Ghobash said will pave the way for improved labor relations between the UAE and the Philippines.

The Vice President also visited on Tuesday the Philippine Global School-Abu Dhabi, an all-Filipino primary and secondary academic institution of more than 2,000 students. – Rappler.com