DFA: Nigerian firm to hire Pinoys once ban lifted

A Nigerian firm is willing to hire Filipinos once the Philippines lifts the deployment ban there, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday. The DFA said this information was relayed to Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Nestor Padalhin by overseas Filipino workers hired at Asia Plastics Industry (Nig) Ltd. "(The OFWs) mentioned that there were two Filipinos to be hired by the company soon and if the deployment ban to Nigeria will be lifted, the company will hire more Filipinos, as its management is satisfied with the performance of Filipinos presently employed by the company," the DFA said in a news release. The Philippine government presently has deployment bans on Iraq, Nigeria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Jordan. Some 150 Filipinos are living and working in Kano, the DFA said. Many of them have been working there for almost 20 years, the DFA said. Earlier, Padalhin and his delegation met with Asia Plastics Industry (Nig) Limited CEO Man-Loong Lee, his officers and some 34 OFWs working in the factory. The factory makes products such as leather bags, footwear, and belts, for export to the United States, United Kingdom and other countries. Advice for OFWs Meanwhile, Padalhin advised the Filipinos in the Kano area in Nigeria to avoid going out of their hostels especially at night, to avoid untoward incidents. "He advised the OFWs to stay in their hostel after their work, especially during night time, and to be vigilant and watchful in their surroundings to avoid any untoward incidents," the DFA said. Padalhin also advised the Filipino workers there to unite and help one another in times of need. He reminded as they live in a foreign land, adding they must be "Ambassadors of Goodwill" for the Philippines at all times. For his part, Lamadrid answered questions concerning consular and ATN matters. He conducted consular and ATN services to the OFWs, who the DFA said were happy to see the Ambassador and his delegation. - VVP, GMA News