Philippine HR Practitioners-Qatar inaugurated with 370 members

Doha, Qatar: The Philippine HR Practitioners-Qatar (PHRPQ) has officially announced its establishment, providing a much-needed support system for Filipino HR professionals working in the country. 

With the aim of assisting and guiding HR practitioners, especially newcomers, in navigating Qatar’s labour laws and processes, PHRPQ has quickly gained popularity and now boasts a membership of 370 individuals.

The brainchild behind PHRPQ is Richard Valdez, who recognised the necessity of a united HR community in Qatar. Starting as a group chat, the organisation has rapidly grown, solidifying its position as an essential resource for Filipino HR practitioners. Membership fees amount to QR150 per year, with an additional registration fee of QR50. PHRPQ was officially founded in November 2022 and has already made significant strides in providing valuable services to its members.

One of the Board of Directors, Amie Andrada told The Peninsula that one of the primary objectives of PHRPQ is to offer continuous learning and development programmes throughout the year. The organisation has established a dedicated committee responsible for designing these programmes, which cover a wide range of topics related to HR practices. 

Additionally, it will hold various events, including a Sports Fest and community-oriented initiatives such as clean-up drives and bloodletting activity. Moreover, the organisation plans to provide soft skills training to distressed overseas Filipino workers through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO).

The impact of PHRPQ extends beyond its members. Recognised by the Philippine Embassy in Doha, it works closely with MWO, facilitating updates and maintaining liaison with the office, explained Andrada. PHRPQ’s training programmes include vital information on job order processing, recruitment do’s and don’ts for Filipino workers in the Philippines, and regular updates on Qatar’s labour laws.

To better serve its members and the Filipino community, PHRPQ has developed a Facebook page and a website, currently under construction. Furthermore, it is building a comprehensive database of job seekers, enabling its members to access a pool of potential candidates. This initiative aims to provide job opportunities to Filipinos and further enhance their chances of finding suitable employment in Qatar, explained Andrada.

Amidst these developments, Andrada has also urged the Filipino community in the country to avail themselves of the organisation’s services. She emphasised that PHRPQ is committed to helping individuals find jobs and providing support for HR professionals. With the first general assembly recently concluded, the organiaation received high-profile attendees, including H E Lillibeth Pono, the Philippine Ambassador to Qatar, who commended PHRPQ’s efforts in her address.

“This day certainly marks a significant milestone to your group – the first step in your proverbial journey of a thousand miles, so to speak. Along this line, I wish for nothing more than the success of many more general assemblies for your organisation in the years to come.”

Donavan Cabantac, PHRQ Chair of the Continuous Professional Development Committee told The Peninsula that Joining this HR group is crucial for professionals as it provides a supportive community, access to continuous learning and development opportunities, and valuable networking connections. “Being part of this group enhances professional growth, expands knowledge, and fosters collaboration within the HR field.”