MANILA, Philippines – Hong Kong-based Filipino workers who might be displaced as a result of Monday’s hostage crisis in Manila can avail of free skills retraining upon their return to the country.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) expressed its readiness to assist returning OFWs who might lose their jobs in Hong Kong due to the effects of the incident.

“In case our overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong would be forced to go back home because of this sad incident, TESDA is ready, more than ready, to provide them the assistance in the retraining they need,” said new TESDA chief Joel Villanueva.
 
OFWs in Hong Kong feared of a possible backlash after 8 tourists, including Hong Kong Chinese and Canadians, were killed in a bloody hostage drama in Manila.

Villanueva issued the statement following reports that a Filipina domestic worker was dismissed by her Chinese employer while the hostage crisis was taking place.

“The readiness is of course part of the agency’s thrust of working hard to attain our goal of providing the work force the appropriate and competent skills training and education so they will be outfitted for work,” Villanueva added.   

The incident also prompted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to immediately issue its “black travel advisory” to the Philippines.