Cairo, 23 June 2019 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt and the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines to the Arab Republic of Egypt organized a two-day visit for Attorney Enrico T. Foss, the Executive Director of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs in the Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs to share the Philippines’ extensive experience in the protection of domestic workers and household service workers with various stakeholders in Egypt. A knowledge-exchange roundtable discussion was organized with the participation of nine embassies in Egypt, the representative of The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to Egypt and The International Labour Organization (ILO’s) International Labor Standards Specialist, in addition to a representative from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark. IOM Egypt also presented its services for at-risk migrants in Egypt and led a discussion amongst the participants on protection related issues. 

Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Sulpicio M. Confiado and IOM Egypt Chief of Mission Laurent De Boeck were also present to welcome participating officials and guests. During his opening remarks, Mr. Laurent De Boeck affirmed the commitment of IOM Egypt to continue strengthening the response of tackling abuses and exploitation of migrant domestic workers in Egypt and promoting comprehensive protection measures for all. “The invaluable experience and practices shared by Mr. Foss today highlights the specific needs and the importance referral mechanisms available for the protection of migrant domestic workers. An effective and successful model of protection includes also the participation of the Embassy of citizenship of the domestic workers and IOM, in coordination with the efforts enacted by the Egyptian authorities. IOM is dedicated to continue partnering with the Government of Egypt to provide comprehensive protection to domestic workers and vulnerable migrants.”  

On the second day, an informal exchange with relevant Government of Egypt entities was organized, including the Ministry of Manpower, the National Council for Women, Consular Affairs, the National Coordinating Committee on Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), in addition to IOM and the Embassy of the Philippines. The informal exchange was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the auspices of H.E. Ambassador Dina El-Sehy, Deputy Assistant Minister for Migration, Refugees and Combatting Human Trafficking. 

The workshop was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. It supports the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, namely Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It is also in-line with the objectives of the social and economic dimensions of the Sustainable Development Strategy 2030 of the Government of Egypt and contributes to the implementation of the 2016-2021 National Strategy on Combatting and Preventing Trafficking in Persons.

For more information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 1032 049 144; Email: oawwad@iom.int