American, Saudi firms may hire displaced OFWs – Ople

WASHINGTON – Some American and Saudi Arabian firms are willing to look at the credentials of Filipinos affected by the conflict in Sudan for possible employment, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said yesterday.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said the US employers who are interested in hiring the rescued Filipino workers include Patty Jeffrey, executive vice president for International Operations of MedPro International; Magsaysay People Resources and Magsaysay Maritime Corp. under Doris Magsaysay-Ho and John Padget, president and chief experience and innovation officer of cruise operator Carnival Corp.

“They’re willing to look at the profiles of those who came from Sudan. I said these are skilled workers. I said, there are international school teachers, nurses, construction workers and engineers,” Ople said at a press briefing here.

“We have met with the US-based employers. The prospects for employment are very bright. They truly appreciate the excellence of the Filipino worker and they also appreciate the encouraging words of our President,” she added.

Ople said some employers in Saudi Arabia are also open to hiring Filipinos who were displaced by the clashes in Sudan. According to her, the DMW is working with PEACEME, a recruitment industry association in Saudi Arabia, and the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development on the possible hiring of workers.

Some DMW officials are traveling to the Middle Eastern country this month to discuss the matter with local authorities.

Hundreds of Filipinos have been affected by the crisis in Sudan, which stemmed from a power struggle between the Sudanese armed forces and a paramilitary group. Ople said some 600 Filipinos have been evacuated from Sudan via different exit routes. She added that 777 Filipinos have sought help or have reached out to the Philippine embassy in Cairo.

“But others want to stay on. Others are hoping the conflict will subside. Of course we cannot force them. That is their decision. But if they would ask our advice, the best way really or the best time for them to leave is now. And we also welcome news that the United Nations will be stepping in soon. So we do hope that the UN will step in and establish these humanitarian corridors and safe zones as soon as possible,” Ople said.

The DMW meanwhile reported that 72 more Filipinos, including four children, have returned to the Philippines yesterday afternoon.

Toby Nebrida, the agency’s spokesman, said the OFWs were accompanied by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Arnell Ignacio on board the Saudia flight SV 8621.

He added that each of the returning OFWs would receive P100,000 in financial assistance from the DMW and OWWA.

DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia reported that over 6,300 applicants in the Labor Jobs Fair initiated by the agency have “qualified” for possible employment abroad. – Mayen Jaymalin