The Department of Labor and Employment said it will provide assistance to overseas Filipino workers affected by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
In a statement released Friday evening, the labor department said it has begun coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to gather data on repatriated workers and those whose deployment may be disrupted by the regional tensions.
Officials said the information will help the government determine the kind of support needed by affected overseas workers once they return to the country.
Affected workers will be profiled and undergo skills assessment through the nationwide network of Public Employment Service Office centers.
Their profiles will be registered in the government’s employment information system to help match them with job opportunities based on their skills, education, and work experience.
DOLE said the workers will also receive employment counseling and may be referred to job opportunities through job fairs and employer partnerships facilitated by the agency’s employment services network.
Aside from job placement assistance, the labor department said returning workers may also access emergency employment and livelihood opportunities through government livelihood programs and referrals to partner agencies that support entrepreneurship and microenterprise development.
For those planning to shift to other industries, DOLE said it can help facilitate training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for skills training, testing, and certification.
Professionals returning from overseas may also receive assistance from the Professional Regulation Commission, including support for licensing, credential verification, and facilitation of professional practice in the Philippines.
The labor department said these interventions will be tailored to the needs of affected workers as the government continues monitoring the situation in the Middle East.