The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has suspended funding for a training programme for offshore Filipino nationals. The trainees were educated to work in English speaking call centres.

The scheme has drawn heavy criticism since it was reported last week, as it was seen as a threat to American call centre workers.

After several congressmen expressed their outrage at the scheme, the funding has been pulled.

“In response to the concerns you have raised, the Agency is suspending its participation in the English language training project in Mindanao pending further review of the facts,” said USAID deputy assistant administrator Barbara Feinstein, in a letter Monday to Congressman Tim Bishop.

The letter continued: “Furthermore, the Agency has established a high-level taskforce to review these matters.”