American business firms have expressed interest in employing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) recently rescued by the Philippine government from Sudan, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople said.
“They’re willing na tingnan ‘yung profiles nung mga galing Sudan kasi sabi ko these are skilled workers. Sabi ko, may international school na teachers may mga nurses, mayroon ding construction workers tsaka mga engineers. So sabi naman nila, they’re willing to look at the profiles,” Ople said.
Ople said among the top US employers interested in employing the rescued OFWs included Patty Jeffrey, executive vice president for International Operations of MedPro International, *Magsaysay People Resources/Magsaysay Maritime Corporation under Doris Magsaysay-Ho* and John Padget, president and chief experience and innovation officer of Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises.
Ople said the DMW is already preparing the OFWs’ profiles, which will be provided to employers in the US and Saudi Arabia, which also expressed interest in hiring Filipinos.
“There are employers in the US and also in the cruise ship industry and in Saudi Arabia that are very much interested and would like to see profiles of our workers from Sudan, Ople said.
“For Saudi Arabia, we are working closely with PEACEME, a recruitment industry association geared towards employment in KSA as well as with the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development,” she added.
“All OFWs have received US$20 care of the DMW while they are in Egypt and then livelihood package, financial assistance of initially Php50,000 and then through OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) regional offices. Yung initial na Php50,000 will be coming from the DMW’s direct aid to the worker, another Php50,000 will be given by OWWA to the families of the workers,” she said.
In a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his delegation on Tuesday, Padget said his group of companies is set to hire some 75,000 Filipino seafarers in the next three to four years.
Padget also represents Carnival Cruise Line, Holland American Airlines and Seaborn, praised Filipino workers.
On the other hand, MedPro International is an industry leader in the recruitment, training, and staffing of foreign-educated healthcare professionals.
Since 2006, the company has helped thousands of foreign-educated healthcare professionals achieve a rewarding career in the U.S.
There are more than four million Filipino immigrants (temporary and permanent) in the United States, representing the 4th largest immigrant group after Mexicans, Indians and Chinese.
Through their remittances, the Filipino workers contribute to the economic development of both the US and Philippines with their skills, talent and expertise.
Catherine R. Cueto
