Local firm to send Filipino workers to Jordan

Japan Maruko International Corporation’s Dr. Mohammed Iqneibi and Capt. Rommel Gacutan go over the details of their agreement with Ali Samara, General Manager of National Company, for the deployment of Filipino workers in Jordan.

FILIPINO agency Japan Maruko International Corporation (JMK) and Jordanian-based National Company for Recruitment Advantages (National) have agreed on the deployment of Filipino workers in Jordan once the country lifts its ban on foreign workers.

Dr. Mohammad Iqneibi, Board of Director of JMK, with partner, operation manager of Capt. Rommel Gacutan, sealed the deal with National’s General Manager Ali Samara for the employment of Filipinos in Jordan. The signing of contract held at EDSA Shangri la Hotel was witnessed by the Honorary Consul of the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan to the Philippines Michael Alexander Ang.

“As of now, we cannot really say that the ban has been lifted unless it is officially put into a document,” Ang said.

According to Dr. Iqneibi, the agreement would not just address the economic crisis in Philippines but also help in the progress of economy in Jordan. “There is a market for Filipino in Jordan, the Filipinos needed employment” he said.

He said JMK has come up with programs to improve the skills of graduates and on-the-job trainees from different Philippine Universities in preparation for deployment abroad. He said this would remove the impression that Filipino overseas workers are good only as domestic helpers.

Dr. Iqneibi said job opportunities in Jordan are available to Filipinos because “they are easy to deal with; they don’t fabricate and have high credibility compared to others.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Samara said National is targeting 1,000 Filipino workers per month and has assured that Jordan has good working condition, citing the company as a model.

“Human rights issues scare people away from Jordan, but our company has done things no other company has done before,” he said. Mr. Samara added National has put in place programs that safeguard workers from abusive employers. There are a direct hotline for queries and grievances, translators for better communication and spot visits in work places to check the situation of the workers.

Furthermore, JMK and National would screen Jordanian employers to ensure their capabilities to pay the agreed salary and offer decent living spaces for the workers.

Although Philippines has the provision of $400 USD minimum salary for Filipino workers in Jordan, there would still be negotiations for salary offering and mode of payment of Jordanian employers with the Philippine government. Ang said, “it would still depend on the Philippine government if they would agree or partially agree on the arrangement.”

JMK is going through the process of accreditations and negotiations with different government agencies for its operation, hopefully in less than a month from now.

“We want to work according to the rules to avoid what has happened wrong before.” Mr. Samara said.

THEA AYLA P. BANAG