A veteran Filipino Overseas Worker (OFW) has thanked Saudi Arabia for creating jobs for thousands of his fellow nationals.

Jun S. Aguilar, chairman of the Filipino Migrant Workers Group (FMW), expressed this view at the DATA-PHIL Technology Educators, 11th Commencement Exercises, here on Friday.

“The Kingdom has been a source of knowledge and financial resources to millions of expats particularly Filipinos,” Aguilar said.

“While we have seen mistakes and even the abuse of some of our brethren, it’s not fair to typecast Saudis as abusive and less humane in their treatment of expatriates. Abuse and ill treatment also happens back home and in the western world.”

Aguilar urged fellow Filipinos to constantly update their skills so that they can compete in the workplace. “The opportunity to learn is available here in the Kingdom. They simply have to invest their time and effort,” he said.

He also advised workers here to save their money, to avoid the fate of many of those who had worked overseas. He said Filipinos should also pool their resources to uplift themselves and their community.

Jimmy Lasaca, the founding president of DATA-PHIL, which provides training for fellow nationals, said his group has been providing these services free. This includes courses on fiber optics and cabling termination, private automatic branch exchange, basic and advanced digital photography, and photo shop. The group would soon be offering solar technology plumbing.

The graduation was attended by community leaders, Filipino media and celebrities including Christopher Gozun, a filmmaker, Nadzker Sahidula, and Patnubay head, Joseph Espiritua. President of DATA-PHIL, Maria Rosario Bernad, was also present.