Jobs here for OFWs – exec

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assured that there would be jobs available for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who would be affected by the “Saudization” labor policy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In yesterday’s Kapihan press conference, Labor  regional director Exequiel Sarcauga said  that most OFWs who would come home would still not be contented with the wage rate offered by local companies.

“ That’s the predicament of the workers. The wage here is very low compared to those offered abroad,” Sarcauga said.

With the Saudization policy, more Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia are facing termination and are likely to come home.

Under the policy, the companies in Saudi Arabia depending on the level of their enterprise are required to hire a certain percentage of Saudi Arabian citizens to the workforce. The policy’s aim is to lessen the number of foreign workers in that country.

Sarcauga said there would be available jobs for unskilled, low skilled and less technical jobs in Central Visayas.

He said that the three Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) in Saudi Arabia would help the OFWs find jobs in that country if they would be terminated.

He, however, said he believed there would only be a minimal number of them to lose their jobs because they had a variety of skills.

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He also said that those who would want to return home could avail of  the Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Project that would gives returning women OFWs access to training services so that they could increase their labor skills.

The Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) also promised the affected OFWs of the agency’s help.

OWWA Regional Director Wilfreda Misterio said that the agency would help the affected OFWs find jobs not only in Saudi Arabia but also in other countries.

OWWA also provides loans of up to P2 million to OFWs and their kin to encourage them to start their own business here in the country. /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya with a report from Correspondent Patricia Andrea Pateña