Metro Manila, Philippines – Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured the safety of 412 Filipino seafarers deployed in the Persian Gulf.
In a press release, the agency said it had met with Zamil Offshore, a leading marine service provider in Saudi Arabia, which confirmed that the seafarers are provided with sufficient food and other necessities.
“Tiniyak din ng kumpanya na ang lahat ng kanilang crew, kabilang ang mga Pilipino, ay maayos na inaalagaan,” the agency said.
[Translation: The company also assured that all crew, including Filipinos, are well cared for.]
Zamil Offshore CEO Babak Jabbari said the company is interested in hiring more Filipino seafarers in the future, noting their high level of “knowledge, competence, and seamanship.”
Meanwhile, planes carrying repatriated Filipinos from Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are set to arrive Thursday, April 23.
Additional flights from Kuwait and Qatar carrying repatriates are also expected to arrive on Friday.
In its latest data, the agency reported that 7,196 individuals have been repatriated, of whom 6,557 were government-funded.
This includes 5,197 overseas Filipino workers and 1,360 dependents.
“In the midst of the current crisis, wherever Filipino workers are in the world, their safety remains the government’s responsibility,” the agency added.
