Dole eyes Russia as new OFW destination

THE government is looking at Russia as an alternative for skilled and professional Filipino workers who are looking for high paying jobs, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said yesterday.

According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, they are considering Russia as the next work destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In 2014, there are about 4,000 OFWs in Russia who are working in construction, hotels, and households

He said that President Rodrigo Duterte will discuss labor relations when he visits the socialist state and meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin early next year.

“I already sent a memo to the President requesting him to include the possi- ble deployment of skilled and professional workers to Russia,” Bello said.

The Dole chief added that there is a demand for construction and household service workers in the Russian republic.

Bello explained they are looking at other host nations for Filipino workers due to the decline in oil price in the Middle East.

“We noticed that there is a decline in the demand for OFWs in the Middle East. We have to look for other countries where there are demands for our OFWs,” he added.

In 2014, there are about 4,000 OFWs in Russia who are working in construction, hotels, and households. (FP/Sunnex)