POEA sees continuing decline in OFW hiring

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reported yesterday that hiring of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is expected to decline in the coming months due to recent developments in various host countries.

Based on its overseas employment projections for 2011 to 2016, the POEA said the number of Filipinos leaving the country to work abroad is expected to drop by at least three percent this year.

Among the primary reasons is the prevailing political tension in Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon and Bahrain.

The POEA said the suspension in verification of employment contracts for household service workers could also lead to a sharp decline in the deployment of OFWs this year.

Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that deployment of household workers in Saudi Arabia has already suffered an 80 percent decline because of the suspension in verification of employment contracts.

The POEA said the Saudi government has intensified the hiring of locals and has sanctioned employers who are not complying with the program.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz’s policy direction to strictly implement the household worker reform package, as well as the implementation of the amended Migrant Workers Act are also expected to adversely affect employment of OFWs in the coming months.

The twin disasters that struck Japan last March could also affect employment prospects of Filipinos, the POEA said. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)