PRESS RELEASE NO. 10

MANILA, Oct. 28—To shatter the distance barrier and preserve family ties,  pioneer computer firm and software giant Microsoft Corporation has unveiled its renewed thrust to teach migrant workers and their families the communication capabilities of computers and the internet. 

Lori Forman, Microsoft regional director, community affairs, for Asia-Pacific, Great China and Japan, said that this initiative will include on-line seminars and training courses on how to cope with the social costs of dislocation, remittances of income, vulnerabilities of female migrant workers and promotion and development on the migrant workers’ countries.  

”Microsoft is doing all of this not because it can but it believes that something has to be done about it,” Forman told listeners in Communication and Connection: Empowering Migrants for Development forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Tuesday afternoon.  

In this renewed thrust, Microsoft with the assistance of non-profit institutions are reaching out through families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and teaching them the value and ease  of computer and the internet technology, notably in keeping constantly in touch. 

The advent of modern communication technology has given rise to the phenomenal growth of virtual interaction among families, relatives and friends across the globe, thereby cutting depression and homesickness.  

For foreign-bound workers, the information technology provides a wealth of information to ensure safe migration and sound investments of their hard-earned money as well as honing their computer literacy and proficiency, a skill which is almost indispensable in today’s challenging job market.  

Forman added that Microsoft also provides timely tips to women migrant workers to avoid being prey to human traffickers, illegal recruiters and other forms of exploitation with the conduct of on-line seminars and orientation.  

”Hopefully with this, Microsoft can make labor migrations a more positive experience,” she stressed.