OFWs in Malaysia need better work conditions

MANILA, Philippines- Philippine officials will push for the improved working conditions of about 200,000 Filipinos employed in Malaysia during the two-day visit of Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim in the country starting on Tuesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assured that it would seek improvements in the treatment and working environment of Filipino workers.

“His visit is expected to enhance our traditional ties with Malaysia - our closest neighbor to the south. It will be an opportunity to explore new areas for cooperation, at the bilateral level and within the context of ASEAN," said the DFA in a statement on Monday.

The Philippines and Malaysia began diplomatic relations in May 1964.

Currently, Malaysia ranks as the Philippines’ 7th trading partner; 7th export market; and 8th import supplier with total bilateral trade amounting to $4,743.43 million last year.

In the same year, Malaysian foreign direct investments increased to P7.76 billion in 2007 from
P855.7 million in 2006

The DFA also said that in 2007, 65,695 Malaysians tourists visited the Philippines, an increase of 23.3 percent compared to the number of Malaysians who visited in 2006.

The Philippines also has active collaboration with Malaysia under the RP-Malaysia defense cooperation.

The visit is part of ASEAN's tradition of newly installed Foreign Ministers visiting their counterparts in the region.- GMANews.TV

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