Russia To Be The Next Work Destination For OFW’s, Labor Secretary Says
The Philippine government eyes Russia to be the new work destination of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) after the crisis in the Middle East.
President Rodrigo Duterte will be talking with the Russian President Vladimir Putin early next year on boosting the economic ties including labor relations between Philippines and Russia, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III statement on Monday (December 05, 2016).
This is due to the oil crisis happened at the Middle East which caused problems to the OFW’s in the Saudi Arabia. The stranded OFW’s were assisted by the KSA and Philippine government for their repatriation a few months ago.
The labor secretary had already sent a request to the president to also include the possible deployment of skilled and professional Filipino workers to Russia. It will be a great opportunity for our countrymen to work again abroad after losing opportunities in the Middle East.
The Republic of Russia demands household service workers and construction workers, according to Bello. Skilled and professional Filipino workers who aim to find high paying jobs to sustain the needs of their family have a greater opportunity in Russia.
“We noticed that there is a decline in the demand for OFWs in the Middle East,” and “We have to look for other countries where there are demands for our OFWs,” said by Bello quoted by GMA.
Almost 4, 000 OWF’s are working in hotels, households, construction, and other establishments in Russia, last 2014. Many Filipinos find new hope on this proposal to work abroad because of the economic crisis and low salary rate in the country.
During the Asia-Pacific summit in Lima, Peru President Duterte had met Putin and expressed his admiration and desire to strengthen the relation of the country with Russia after he declares his independent foreign policy.