M’lang, Kidapawan Jobs Fair Eyed GIANT SAUDI CONSTRUCTION FIRM RECRUITING OVER 1,300 WORKERS

By Manny Pinol

Officials of one of the biggest engineering companies in Saudi Arabia will be making a swing of the major cities and selected towns in the Southern Philippines within the month to recruit over 1,300 workers for its projects in the Middle Eastern Kingdom.

Lory Santos, vice president of the Philippine-based Aram Enterprises which undertakes the recruitment of the workers for Al-Rashid Trading and Contracting Co, said a total of 1,337 workers – engineers, truck drivers, mechanics and masons – are needed by the construction firm for its government projects in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Rashid is one of the few construction firms in Saudi Arabia given an exemption from the “Saudization” of employment in the Kingdom which gives priority to Saudi workers for local jobs, Santos said.

Santos said the group will first stage its recruitment activity in Davao City where they were able to employ an estimated 100 plumbers and electricians last month.

From Davao City, the group is expected to go to Kidapawan City or M’lang and then proceed to Gen. Santos City.

It was in an accidental meeting with an official of Aram Enterprises while I was applying for a visa with the South African Embassy in July this year that I was able to discover the job opportunities available for workers in Mindanao, especially my province, North Cotabato.

With my help, Aram Enterprises officials were able to establish a link with the Public Employment Office of Davao City which facilitated the employment of about 100 Davaoenos last month.

“We need more workers immediately and there is no problem with the placement fees because it will just be deducted from their salaries,” Santos said.

The exact dates for the jobs fair which I intend to propose to Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista and M’lang Mayor Lito Pinol will be announced later.