PH-Singapore Friendship Week Highlights Strong Bilateral Relations

MANILA — The Department Of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday thanked the Singaporean government for promoting the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Singapore as both nations celebrate Friendship Week. The celebration, held from July 18 to 19 at the DMW head office in Mandaluyong City, underscores the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Singaporean government has strengthened its laws to protect migrant workers, including OFWs. “We are very thankful to the government of Singapore, a long-standing protector, promoter of harmonious relations, and the rights of migrant workers, OFWs in Singapore. We know for sure that OFWs’ basic human and employment rights are well respected,” Cacdac said.

The celebration was attended by Singapore Ambassador Constance See. See highlighted Singapore’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and rights of migrant workers, particularly foreign domestic workers. “In Singapore, there is access to labor mechanisms and administration of justice. Employers who abuse their employees, especially migrant domestic workers, face harsher penalties. Any employer convicted of abuse is liable to face up to two times the maximum punishment for the offense,” See said.

Currently, there are about 250,000 Filipinos living in Singapore, with around 84 percent being OFWs. Of these, 60 percent are non-domestic workers, and 40 percent are in household services. Both countries vowed to continue deepening their bilateral labor relations.

See also mentioned that Singapore would need around 3,000 to 4,000 nurses and other allied medical workers, with opportunities open to all nationalities, including Filipinos. She thanked Filipino healthcare workers who stayed in Singapore during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are thankful for the Filipino frontline staff, the nursing staff who have stood by us during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of them did not go back to the Philippines and decided to stay, and we are very thankful for that,” she said.

The Philippines and Singapore established diplomatic relations on May 16, 1969, and have since grown stronger in trade and investment, security and defense cooperation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people relations.