There is truth to the report that there is a demand for Filipino workers in countries such as United States of America (USA), Guam, etc. but the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) decided to give further details about the said job orders so as not to confuse and mislead jobseekers.
Job Orders for USA and Guam
According to the POEA chief, Jennifer Jardin-Manalili the reports saying that the 13,360 approved job orders for USA in 2009 is not only for nurses. The number includes jobs for other healthcare professional such as physiotherapist and pharmacists. It also covers available jobs for information technology workers and hospitality workers. Manalili added that until now, the 13,360 job orders are yet to be filled up. Only 876 (6.5%) out of the 13,360 orders were taken because America is currently experiencing visa retrogression.
The government agency also clarifies reports that appeared in some newspapers regarding job openings for construction workers in the US. The POEA said that there is no demand for construction workers in the US Mainland market. Rather the job orders are for the construction of a military facility in Guam. A new facility is needed for the transfer of the US military base from Okinawa Japan to Guam.
It has been reported that the recruitment for Guam is set to start early this year but according to POEA, the hiring may not happen anytime soon. This is because of the new developments affecting the US and Japan on the issue of a replacement facility for the Futenma Marine base in Okinawa, Japan.
The POEA also informed that there is no truth to the report that there is a demand for Filipino workers in the oil and gas industry of America.
Job Orders for UAE
Reports of a job opportunity for dog handlers in United Arab Emirates (UAE) also appeared in some newspaper and websites, but POEA informed that they have not approved any job orders for the said position, nor received any official request for approval. Likewise, the Philippine Embassy in UAE has not reported that such an opportunity exists. According to Manalili, “We will make formal announcements as soon as the job offers are confirmed.”
The POEA also informed that majority of job openings for Filipino workers abroad would still be for the countries in the Middle East region. With the exception of Dubai, UAE, the economies of the countries in the said area are not very much affected by the financial crisis last year. The consistent to p destination of OFWs, Saudi Arabia will develop 12 mega economic cities across the kingdom as part of economic development plan until 2024.
POEA Warning
In lieu with the clarifications made, Manalili reminds jobseekers to be vigilant and alert when seeking or applying for job opening overseas. Illegal recruiters and swindlers always take advantage of reports of job orders to lure applicants into giving them huge amounts of money. Always check the availability of job orders and deal only with POEA licensed agencies. You can check the list of approved job orders here.
