Cañada Alum Froilan Malit Works on Labor Immigration Issues
Fri, 11 April, 2014 at 10:14 am
“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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