Filipino domestic workers in Saudi Arabia could have opportunities to train for caregiving and other specialized jobs as Manila and Riyadh discuss new skills-development initiatives, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said. In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Cacdac said the discussions aim to help workers move into occupations that offer specialized skills and potentially better career opportunities.
“We are in discussions with the Saudi side in terms of upskilling domestic workers, who could possibly be hired and focused (on) in terms of caregiving work,” Cacdac said. He stressed that domestic work remains a legitimate profession but said additional training could help workers improve their productivity, employment status and take-home pay.
The initiative comes as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 drives demand for workers in sectors including healthcare, construction, tourism and hospitality. Cacdac said the Philippines is also expanding vocational training to include emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare and green-economy jobs. He added that discussions are also opening possibilities for Filipino women to pursue professions traditionally dominated by men, including driving.
The Philippines and Saudi Arabia already have labor agreements covering worker protection, recruitment and dispute resolution, while around 1 million Filipinos live in the Kingdom. Cacdac said future cooperation will increasingly focus on matching workers with specific skills and safer employment opportunities. “There are programs in the works,” he said. “We are looking closer at more targeted skill sets and skill sets that would be more protective.”
