UP-CIFAL Philippines, partners conduct webinar on migrant repatriation in Gulf states

29 May 2020—In the second of a webinar series, UP-CIFAL Philippines, in partnership with online regional news platform Rights Corridor and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), conducted an online discussion on “COVID-19 As A Mobility Crisis: Repatriation of Migrants from the Gulf States.”

Froilan Malit, Jr., managing director of online regional organization Rights Corridor, served as the keynote speaker. Malit explained how the policies on repatriation in the Gulf region impact sending countries.

Reacting to his presentation were representatives from the government and the private sector.

Sarah Lou Arriola, undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, talked about COVID19-related assistance and the repatriation of overseas Filipinos (OFs) in the Middle East.

Loreto Soriano, president of LBS Recruitment Solutions, discussed the impacts of COVID-19 to recruitment agencies, such as massive reduction of employees and closure of branches.

Kristin Dadey, chief of mission of the IOM in the Philippines, closed the webinar, stressing the importance of reintegration of returning Filipino workers.

UP-CIFAL Philippines Director Dr. Edna Co, who served as the moderator, emphasised the need to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration during the pandemic. Ninety-six participants joined the webinar.

Watch the full webinar here.

The third of a webinar series will tackle “Food (In)Security in the Midst of COVID-19” on 3 June 2020, 3:00 PM (Manila time). Register here.