UAE migrant Filipinos urged to invest in home country

'Filipinos should now move away from the mindset of working and staying in the host country and look into coming back home as investors,' says the Philippine consul in Dubai.

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ABU DHABI // A change of mindset is needed to transform Filipinos abroad from ordinary workers into investors in their home country, a leading diplomat urgedahead of today's celebration of their efforts.

"Migrant Workers' Day is an affirmation by the government of the importance of overseas Filipino workers, and their contribution to the Philippine economy," said Giovanni Palec, the Philippine consul in Dubai. "While the government continues to protect and promote the workers' rights, it is now inviting them to become overseas investors.

"Filipinos should now move away from the mindset of working and staying in the host country and look into coming back home as investors."

June 7 was declared Migrant Workers Day under the Filipino Migrant Workers' Act in 1995.

Mr Palec will be at the launch of the OFW Mag-Impok Magnegosyo Movement, an advocacy project, today as part of the Migrant Workers' Day celebrations in the UAE.

The project addresses the needs of workers and their families by encouraging migrants to set aside some of their monthly remittance, use savings as capital investment and divert it to a profitable business to minimise the overdependence on remittances.

"We will unveil projects and services related to reintegration preparedness," said Delmer Cruz, the labour attache in Dubai.

"Our advocacy campaign is centred on savings, investment and entrepreneurship."

The theme of this year's celebrations is Filipino Migrants: Working Together in Fulfilling Your Dream.

The one-day event will feature products and services provided by the government, private firms and Filipino community organisations.

Manila's trade and industry and agriculture department will offer free livelihood training and discuss ways to venture into agribusiness.

"In the coming months, we will partner with Filipino community organisations in the UAE," Mr Cruz said. "The skills training they provide here should match and be relevant to the livelihood opportunities back home."

The celebrations will take place from 9.30am until 5pm at the Philippine overseas labour office in the Al Ghusais district of Dubai.