Medical, dental workers in demand in Kingdom 5,000 nurses needed in Saudi Arabia

By EDD K. USMAN

Saudi Arabia needs at least 5,000 Muslim and non-Muslim nurses for immediate deployment in the oil-rich kingdom, Ambassador Mohammad Ameen Wali announced yesterday.




Wali said applicants should submit their applications to the Saudi Recruitment Office (SRO) in Makati City.

Skilled workers needed by the kingdom are 100 female medical technologists, 100 female X-ray technicians, 50 female dental assistants, 50 female physical therapists, 50 female respiratory therapists, and 20 dental technicians.

Authenticated documents and papers should be submitted on or before May 15. Underboard Muslim nurses will be accepted.

Wali said he has relayed the information to Labor Secretary Arturo Brion, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) head Rosalinda Baldoz, and Administrator Marianito Roque of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

According to the envoy, Brion wrote him requesting for a government-togovernment transaction for the hiring of nurses, with the POEA accepting applicants for endorsement to SRO.

Wali had agreed with Brion’s request.

"On Thursday, we met with Labor Secretary Brion to also discuss the new rules on the deployment of household workers. The secretary has agreed to review the 0 raise for their monthly salary," Wali said.

The ambassador thanked Brion for his decision saying only very few Saudi employers can afford the steep increase in the salary of domestic workers.

Wali said Brion also promised to establish training centers for Muslims in the cities of Zamboanga, Davao, Marawi and Cotabato for deployment, particularly to Makkah and Madina, where non-Muslims are not allowed entry.

He likewise called on the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) to remain strict and vigilant so it would not be able to issue documents to fake Muslims.

Director Paharuddin Pangcoga of OMA said applicants for certificates of tribal membership (CTM) are photographed inside their office to prevent the switching of photos.

The Saudi ambassador also reiterated his warning to recruitment agencies that those caught with fake documents will be banned immediately from transacting business with the embassy.

"We already caught many of them. Let them be reminded it will not be tolerated."


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