WASHINGTON, D.C

.—Some employers in the United States and Saudi Arabia have signified their intention to hire overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the ongoing hostilities in Sudan. (Photo courtesy of OWWA)
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said in a press briefing on Wednesday, May 3  in Washington D.C. that affected Filipino workers in Sudan may get hired by employers in Saudi Arabia and US. Getting back to work, she added, was among the major concerns raised by the OFWs affected by the conflict in Sudan. "[T]here 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 the profiles of our workers from Sudan," Ople said. Ople said the companies are specifically interested in skilled workers, international school teachers, nurses, construction workers, and engineers. "So sabi naman nila (they said), they’re willing to look at the profiles,” she 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; Doris Magsaysay Ho, president and CEO of the Magsaysay Group of Companies; and John Padget, president and chief experience and innovation officer of Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises. Ople assured the cioncerned OFWs them that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) would endorse their profiles to potential employers once they are repatriated. "We need to give them time to rest and then kukunin namin yung profiles nila (we will get their profiles)," the DMW chief said. According to Ople, almost half of the OFWs in Sudan have been repatriated, with 160 nationals flying back to Manila on Wednesday and Thursday. She also said that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. "is very much concerned and is always updated" on the results of the repatriation efforts. She further said livelihood assistance "is in place to provide them with a fresh start in life."