- Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo Santos said on Sunday that over 500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were laid off from government-run firms in Qatar
- Santos also confirmed another 22 Filipino nurses were also laid off from health care centers operated by the Qatari government
- Santos clarified that OFWs in Qatar were not directly affected by the sinking prices of petroleum products
DOHA, Qatar – Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo Santos said on Sunday that over 500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were retrenched from government-run firms in Qatar.
Santos confirmed the news while talking to a radio program in DZMM saying most of these OFWs are aged 55 and up. The ambassador added that the workers were given a two-month notice of termination to find new jobs.
ABS-CBN News quoted Santos in their article published on February 14 that another 22 Filipino nurses were also laid off from health care centers operated by the Qatari government.
However, despite the recent turn of events, Santos clarified that OFWs in Qatar were not directly affected by the sinking prices of petroleum products. The ambassador emphasized that Qatar does not depend on the oil industry much as it is better known as a producer of natural gas.
Photo Credit: Pinoy OFW
“Hindi naman masyadong apektado ang mga kababayan natin dito sapagkat ang income ng Qatar ay hindi dependent mostly sa oil (Our fellow Filipinos are not affected much because Qatar’s income does not depend on oil). Qatar is also a producer of natural gas and the largest producer of natural gas for the past year,” Santos said.
The Philippine representative also denied reports that private companies in Qatar are doing mass retrenchment.
“Wala namang mass lay-off ng ating mga kababayan na nagtatrabaho sa mga (“There is no mass lay-off among OFWs working in) private companies. Most of those who were laid off are working for government owned and controlled corporation,” he said.
Santos also added that job orders remain high for skilled workers including architects, engineers, pharmacists and healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, John Leonard Monterona, the Migrante Middle East regional director, confirmed that termination of employees is happening in Qatar.
An article by Rio N. Araja for The Standard published on February 15 said that Monterona confirms that Filipinos and other nationals working for private companies in Qatar have received termination notices, and OFWs affected have sought Migrante’s help.
According to records, there are around 200,000 Filipinos currently employed in Qatar.
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