22 June 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, accompanied by Vice Consul Enrik Fort E. Revillas, paid a farewell call on the Minister of Labor Sejaan Azzi, in his office on June 10 to discuss with him the on-going bilateral negotiations on a Standard Employment Contract (SEC) for the deployment of Filipino household services workers in Lebanon.
Both sides agreed to continue the discussions and intensify their cooperation, with Ambassador Ruiz expressing the hope that an agreement will soon be reached that would lead to a stronger and improved protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant domestic workers in the country.
She stressed to the Minister the unwavering commitment of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut to achieve an agreement on the draft SEC, with the support of the incoming administration led by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.
She also cited the year 2016 as a banner year for bilateral relations during which both countries will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on October 24, 2016. END
