US, Saudi Companies Interested In Hiring OFWs Displaced By Sudan Conflict

American and Saudi Arabian companies expressed interest in hiring Filipinos who were displaced in the ongoing clash in Sudan.

"There are employers in the U.S., in the cruise ship industry and in Saudi Arabia who are very much interested and would like to see the profiles of our workers from Sudan," Susan Ople, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary said in this Inquirer report.

The U.S.-based employers who are willing to look at the credentials of the rescued Filipino workers include Patty Jeffrey, executive vice president for International Operations of MedPro International and John Padget, president and chief experience and innovation officer of cruise operator Carnival Corporation, Ople said. Also, shipping industry giants Magsaysay People Resources and Magsaysay Maritime Corp. are looking to expand their cruise ship workforce by hiring some of the displaced Filipino workers.

"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 in this Philippine Star article.

"We have met with the U.S.-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.

Saudi Arabian companies are also open to hiring displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Sudan. DMW officials have held discussions with PEACEME, a recruitment industry association in Saudi Arabia for the possible hiring of the OFWs as well as the middle eastern country's Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development.

Ople said DMW representatives would be traveling to Saudi Arabia this month to discuss the hiring procedures with local authorities.

The DMW official said some 600 Filipinos have already been evacuated from Sudan through various exit routes while 777 more have sought help for repatriation or have reached out to the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt.

"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 explained.