DAVAO CITY, Philippines —President Duterte spoke with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the phone at around 8 p.m. Friday night.
Details of the two leaders’ conversation, however, were not immediately available.
Duterte was in his car when he talked with Nahyan, Malacañang said.
The President had just come from the 25th anniversary celebration of the Center for Bright Beginnings at the Davao Convention Center and was on his way to Marina Tuna restaurant where he hosted a birthday dinner for Harry Roque, whom he appointed as presidential spokesman replacing Ernesto Abella.
Nahyan recently signed a new law that would guarantee better working conditions for Filipinos in the UAE.
Aside from overseas Filipino workers, the new law will cover other migrant workers in the UAE working as housemaids, watchmen and security guards, drivers, domestic laborers, housekeepers, private coaches, private teachers, babysitters and private nurses, among others.
Under the new law, domestic workers will have a daily rest period of at least eight hours, regular weekly day off, 30 days paid annual leave and the right to retain personal documents.
The law also prohibits the hiring of anyone under 18 years of age and the assignment of tasks not covered by the contract.