PHOTO: Ambassador Bernardita Catall (left) presents Lebanese Prime Minister H.E. Saad Hariri with Philippine-crafted tokens after the courtesy call at the Grand Serail

11 February 2018 – Ambassador Bernardita L. Catalla paid a courtesy call on Lebanese Prime Minister H.E. Saad Hariri at the Grand Serail (Parliament) in Downtown Beirut on 7 February 2018, as part of efforts to further boost ties between the Philippines and Lebanon.

Ambassador Catalla conveyed developments in the PH-Lebanon negotiations on the Standard Employment Contract for Filipino Household Workers, the conclusion of which may pave the way for the lifting of the development ban imposed by the Philippines for workers in the household service sector.

Ambassador Catalla likewise appealed for migrant workers, including Filipinos, to be able to observe the Labor Day holiday every 1st of May, while also broaching the possible entry of skilled Filipino workers and professionals in Lebanon’s nascent but rising oil and gas industry.

The Prime Minister received the Ambassador’s representations very positively and offered his cooperation in helping the Embassy promote the welfare and protect the rights of Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon. END