Friday, April 11, 2014

Cañada Alum Froilan Malit Works on Labor Immigration Issues

Cañada College alum Froilan Malit is helping improve working conditions for migrant laborers in the Middle East with an eye towards returning to Oxford University to complete his PhD in Politics and International Relations and eventually a law degree.

“I conduct labor policy studies on low-skilled labor migrants – mainly Asian and African workers – and develop potential policy recommendations to improve their working conditions and rights in the region,” Malit said. His studies have been published in various policy institutes, including Migration Policy Institute, Al Monitor, and working papers at Cornell University, where he earned a BS in Industrial and Labor Relations (with honors) and MPA in Public Administration. Malit is also writing a book on Philippine labor migration to the Middle East and hopes to have it published later this year.

Malit is working for the Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and as a short-term consultant for the International Organization for Migration, where he focuses on the Middle East and North Africa region and the Arabian Peninsula. “In particular, I conduct field-based interviews with ambassadors, diplomats, welfare officers, migrants, civil society groups, government labor and interior officials, trying to determine gaps and solutions on the recruitment regulations for migrant labor in the Middle East region.”

His sister, Cañada College student Matet Malit recently finished a six-month study of Filipino domestic workers in the United Arab Emirates that included an internship with Migrante International in Dubai, a Filipino labor rights group.

Shortly after entering Cañada College in 2006, Malit approached Chuck Carlson, professor of history, and asked him for some advice on classes and subjects he was curious about. “He was an outstanding student in my African American History class and dove into the material with a great deal of interest and a deep desire to learn every aspect of American culture. As a professor, he is the kind of student you dream about getting – always going above and beyond what’s required of him,” Carlson said at the time.

Elizabeth Terzakis, a reading professor, saw the same qualities in Malit. “Froilan’s enthusiasm and love of learning were apparent from the moment he entered my Reading class, as was his willingness to share his insights and time with others,” she said. “He added a level of energy and seriousness to the classes he took with me that helped everyone involved to get the most out of their time.”

Froilan Malit said he eventually wants to pursue a law degree at Harvard or Yale with a focus on international labor law.

“I want to thank the Cañada College faculty, staff, and TRiO Program tutors who unconditionally supported me throughout my career,” he said.  Student organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa, UN - Cañada College Chapter, and Political Awareness Club, also inspired me to work harder throughout my time at Cañada.”

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