Pinoy workers needed for World Cup 2022 in Qatar

MANILA, Philippines — Qatar requires additional workers from the Philippines as the Qataris host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, according to Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Al Malki.

He said Qatar now has more than 240,000 Filipino workers and they are enjoying the privileges provided by the Qatari government.  

“They are also our partners in development, and we are looking forward to an even stronger relationship. We also see Filipino workers as one of the best in the world, very professional, educated and talented,” he said.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 is the first World Cup of soccer to be held in the Middle East.

Qatar celebrated on Monday its National Day at Makati Shangri-La Hotel to commemorate its First Ruler, Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamend Bin Thani, with the theme “Promise of Prosperity and Glory.”

The reception was attended by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and foreign dignitaries.

“The ties between the Philippines and Qatar are going very well. This year in April, President Duterte visited Qatar and both sides signed new agreements; we are also currently working on other agreements right now. We are expecting this relationship to go ahead with more enhancements in the field of investment, as well as political cooperation,” the ambassador said.

The Qatar National Day celebrations started last Dec. 9 and will end Dec. 18.

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September, said that the “2022 FIFA World Cup is a first and foremost opportunity for the Arab world and the Middle East to highlight the true and peaceful nature of the rest of the world. It also gives the State of Qatar a great opportunity to stimulate innovation, positive change and sustainable development.”

Qatar is currently building eight football stadiums, 64 training grounds, five fan areas and accommodations, as well as major infrastructure developments including roads, railways and airports. 

The World Cup is an occasion to bring people together, “overcoming geographical, religious, cultural and linguistic differences,” the ambassador noted.