Jobs available in New Zealand for Pinoys affected by Taiwan hiring freeze

An official of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) on Tuesday said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the hiring freeze in Taiwan can look for greener pastures in New Zealand.

In a report aired on GMA Network’s “24 Oras” newscast, POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said there is currently a demand in New Zealand for skilled workers who will be employed in the semiconductor industry.

According to Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), at least 16,000 OFWs stand to be affected by the hiring freeze imposed by Taiwan following its rift with the Philippines.

Taiwan issued a hiring freeze order after the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by members of the Philippine Coast Guard on May 9 off a disputed territory in northern Philippines.

Meanwhile, Cacdac said OFWs planning to work in Taiwan should also consider job opportunities in the Middle East.

“There are opportunities for production work sa Middle East. OFWs who are qualified can also work in Western countries like Canada,” he said.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and POEA on Monday started setting up help desks in their offices to assist and answer the queries of OFWs affected by the hiring freeze.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/317542/pinoyabroad/news/dole-activates-help-desk-for-taiwan-based-ofws

In a statement, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Help Desk will be tasked to produce a profile of OFWs returning from Taiwan to help the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) determine the kind of assistance it should offer them.

“[The Help Desk should provide] the Office of the DOLE Secretary accurate and updated information on their number, skills and qualifications, and if possible, their occupational inclination or plans upon their return so we can better direct and focus our assistance to them,” she said.

Baldoz earlier advised OFWs affected by the hiring freeze to try looking for jobs in other countries.

Malacañang, however, said there are no guarantees that all of the OFWs who were supposed to work in Taiwan will get new jobs in other countries. – Xianne Arcangel, VVP, GMA News