ALKHOBAR, 9 August - Nick Cabatuan is leaving Saudi Arabia tomorrow after completing 21 years as executive assistant to Hamed Al Zamil, president of H.A. Al Zamil & Bros. Company. To commemorate his decades of service, Al Zamil was pleased to present Cabatuan with a Loyal Service Award to remind him of the many happy and fruitful years spent with the company.
Cabatuan is returning to the Philippines at a time of great economic uncertainty for his homeland but he has no fears. He is planning to start a computer-related training business with his family and work with the government on implementing the best strategies for the deployment and protection of OFWs.
"It is important that the Philippines sends more workers abroad to help the economy," said Cabatuan. "However, while working toward this goal it is imperative that the rights and benefits of those workers be protected so that they will have a bright future."
Nurses are among the most in demand of the skilled Filipino workers and also some of the most exploited. Cabatuan felt that these caring individuals needed improved working conditions and that the nurses should fully understand the terms of their employment so that they would know their rights once they accepted an assignment overseas. According to Cabatuan, Filipino nurses are being recruited worldwide due to the global shortage so the government should have no problem demanding that they be provided with extensive benefits by employers in addition to excellent salaries.
In light of this, once he has taken care of pressing family obligations, Cabatuan hopes to make an immediate representation to the government on several issues that would greatly improve the lives of OFWs.
"Not everyone has the excellent experience that I have had working overseas," said Cabatuan. "In almost every respect the happiness of the OFW depends on the work environment. I believe that there should be mandatory checks made on employers before they are allowed to begin recruitment. There should also be efficient communication between embassies and the home offices so that any problems involving OFWs are solved rapidly."
During his years in the Kingdom, Cabatuan has been extensively involved in activities that enrich the lives of OFWs like sports festivals and recognition ceremonies. His departure will leave a gap that the community will find hard to fill.