Labor export up by 70%

DESPITE the global economic crisis, at least 406,000 Filipinos landed jobs abroad in the first quarter of this year, up by 70 percent, according to administrator Carlos Cao Jr. of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Addressing a news forum at the Aloha Hotel , Cao said the development bodes well for the country’s bid to find jobs for its burgeoning labor force. “It means hope for the country,” he said.

In January, 191,000 job applicants were employed overseas through the POEA and recruitment agencies. In February and March, 130,000 and 85,000 Filipino workers landed jobs abroad.

The employers were in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia and United Kingdon.

Cao said that Congo is opening its market to foreigners.

While promoting labor export, Cao said the POEA was serious pursuing its campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Cao said his agency cancelled the licences of 200 recruitment firms and suspended the licenses of 33 others from January to March.

He likewise announced the launching on April 26 of the POEA Citizens’ Watch against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Meanwhile, the former ambassador to Poland and Hungary said Eastern and Central Europe will soon be hiring foreign workers.

Dr. George Roos, who was a long-time surgeon in Finland, said she believed that there will be great job opportunities for Filipino workers in Finland due to its aging population.

She described Finland as the next “oasis” of blue-collar jobs for professionals.

Finland, Roos said, has th oldest and fastest aging demography in terms of population. She said that by year 2030, 26 percent or more than a quarter of its population will be more than 60 years old. United Kingdom,  on the otherhand, will have the same figure by 2051.

Since the first batch of Filipino nurses came to Finland in 2008, she said more and more nurses are going there. But she said, none have came back. –Macon Ramos-Araneta, Manila Standard Today