Saudi- Filipino group to conduct training for stranded workers

(MENAFN- Arab News) The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Jeddah (POLO-Jeddah) is planning to hold a massage training for 50 stranded female workers at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC). "Massage training is one of the projects held by POLO-Jeddah to provide alternative jobs to the wards of the FWRC after returning to the Philippines. Most of them were household service workers employed as housemaids in the Kingdom," Alex Padaen, labor attaché, told Arab News recently. Padaen explained that the training would be conducted in connection with the government's reintegration program, which is a key project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the Philippines after working overseas. "It's one way of reintegrating returning OFWs into mainstream society," he said. Padaen said that the 50 FWRC wards will bring to 100 the number of trainees who may work as masseuses after returning to the Philippines, assuming that they no longer intend to work as domestic helpers. Most FWRC wards used to work as housemaids before they escaped from their employers for various reasons. The labor attaché highlighted that an increasing number of massage parlors have emerged requiring masseurs and masseuses as the country witnesses a booming economy. The Philippine economy is expected to grow more than 7.5 percent in the second quarter of the year. According to HSBC, the Philippines is one of the world's most promising economic hubs. Padaen indicated that 50 other trainees had earlier attended two massage trainings. He added that POLO-Jeddah is also considering other trainings, as well as seminars and workshops, which FWRC wards could attend to improve their skills for better chances of employment back home. He also said that POLO-Jeddah has been able to repatriate stranded workers at the FWRC, but that many other nationals are requesting shelter at the FWRC. "For this reason, we have to offer skills improvement to make their stay at the FWRC productive while awaiting repatriation," said Padaen, who is being requested to serve OFWs in other parts of the Kingdom.