Filipino workers now in demand in Russia

Aside from exploring possible investment opportunities, the 52-Russian trade delegation who visited Cebu recently hopes to attract Filipinos to work in Russia.

"Filipino workers are the new in-demand human resource in Russia. You have already conquered Middle East, and Europe. Russia now needs Filipino workers," said Sukharev Vladimir Ivanovich, vice president of the Eastern Dimension International Public Movement (EDIPM), and assistant to the deputy chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

According to Ivanovich, Russian industries need high-level technicians, nurses, caregivers, human resource professionals, among others. Most of the companies in Russia prefer to hire Filipino workers.

The Russian trade delegation led by Ivanovich, most of them owners of medium to large scale corporations in Russia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) last week to further the development of bilateral economic relations by providing a forum for businessmen of the Russian Federation and of the Cities and Province of Cebu to meet, discuss and explore business opportunities in trade, investments, technology-transfer, services, and other industrial sector.

Attracting Filipino workers to Russia, is one of the important fields of cooperation between the Eastern Dimension International Public Movement (EDIPM) of Russian Federation and CCCI, he said.

The Russian Federation is the largest of the 21 republics that make up the Commonwealth of Independent States. It occupies most of Eastern Europe and north Asia.

Russia's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by approximately 7.1 percent, surpassing average growth rates in all other G8 countries, and marking the country's sixth consecutive year of economic expansion. Russia's economic growth over the past five years has been fueled primarily by energy exports, given the increase in Russian oil production and relatively high world oil prices during the period.

He said Filipinos are not only highly-educated they are also known as good workers, or of high human quality.

The delegation was in Cebu for a five-day trade mission recently, it was the first large trade mission by Russians to Cebu.

The team also expressed the Russians' intention to invest in the Philippines, especially in Cebu, as there are growing numbers of Russians who are willing to pour in large investment projects in the Philippines.

The MOU signed by both parties mutually agreed to initiate and develop bilateral actions of cooperation within the principle of mutual assistance and support such as; establish a sustainable mechanism of dialogue and forums of discussions; provide their members with information on the general economic situation, taxation, investment opportunities, trade policies and legislative changes; promote establishment of legal and administrative conditions favorable to the creation of a business climate enhancing trade and economic relations between the Russian Federation and the Cities and Province of Cebu; encourage businessmen of the Russian Federation and the Cities and Province of Cebu to participate in exhibitions and fairs held in Cebu, and in Russia; and to develop tools of cooperation between EDIPM and the CCCI, which would allow an effective role of both parties in the implementation of Russia-Cebu trade and cooperation agreements.

Soon, Russian companies will post hiring opportunities for Cebuano professionals to work to Russia, through the CCCI-Cebu-Russia Business Council.