PHL eyes Russia as new OFW destination

The government is looking at Russia as the next work destination for skilled Filipino workers, in light of an apparent decrease in the demand for OFWs in the Middle East.

In a statement on Monday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said President Rodrigo Duterte will discuss labor relations when he visits Russia and meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin early next year.

"I already sent a memo to the President requesting him to include the possible deployment of skilled and professional workers to Russia," Bello said.

He also said that there is a demand for construction and household service workers in the Russian republic.
                                                                                            
Bello said because of the decline in oil price in the Middle East, there are fewer job opportunities in that region. He said Russia is a good alternative for skilled and professional workers who are looking for high paying jobs.

"We noticed that there is a decline in the demand for OFWs in the Middle East," Bello said with elaborating. "We have to look for other countries where there are demands for our OFWs."

In 2014, there are about 4,000 OFWs in Russia who are working in construction, hotels, and households.
Duterte met with Putin last month during an Asia-Pacific summit in Lima, Peru. He has openly expressed his intention to forge stronger ties with Russia as part of his independent foreign policy. —KBK, GMA News

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