Australia, UK, Canada wants OFWs

Despite the global economic crisis, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) still got a chance to land a job abroad. South Australia United Kingdom and Canada will need OFWs to fill perennial skills shortage.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Marianito Roque said Philippine and South Australian is preparing for the recruitment of Filipino workers.

“Thus the recruitment of OFWs to South Australia would be orderly, ethical and in line with the laws and policies of the Philippines and of Australia,” said Roque.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Philippines said that OFWs are highly appreciated to work in their country despite the financial crisis and that they (OFWs) are continuously making a “valuable contribution” to the UK since they are providing quality work.

Engineers, doctors, nurses and teachers are included in the national occupation shortage list recently issued by the British Borders and Immigration Agency.

On the other hand, Jason Kenney, minister for immigration, Canada will maintain its policy of encouraging immigration to meet labor shortages despite the worldwide financial crisis.

“Obviously, the economic crisis worries us a great deal... but we believe it would be counterproductive to cut off a labor supply from those sectors of the economy that are still growing by reducing immigration levels,” Kenney said.

He also added that they are eying for nurses from the Philippines, heavy equipment operators from Ukraine and consumer software designers from India.

Source:
Inquirer.net

Qatar opens 37,000 jobs next year

More Filipino workers are expected to come in Qatar by next year since the country will open some 37,000 job openings for Filipinos. This was announced by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her three-day employment-and-investment-seeking visit in Qatar.

This will be another great opportunity for Filipinos who see slim job opportunities in the contracted world labor market next year due to the economic downfall.

Arroyo said she expected “only a minimal displacement of overseas Filipino workers despite the financial crisis sweeping across the globe,” after her meeting with Qatar businessmen and local Filipino communities.

She also added that Qatari employers and other Middle East countries preferred Filipinos due to their diligence, trustworthiness, efficiency and skill.

More Jobs for OFWs in Italy in 2009

Contrary to the global financial slowdown, Italy will need more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in 2009 according to the Italian Honorary Consul of the Philippine Consulate in Florence.

Dr. Fabio Fanfani said that there is a big demand for jobs not only on domestic work but also in the medical sector like caregivers, chefs, auto mechanics, IT programmers, bank and hotel workers.

“In our country, we pay in Euro and its better for Filipino people because the dollar is down,” Fanfani said.

Divinia Capalad, councilor representative for migrant workers in Florence, led the enactment of law that recognizes Filipino professional workers in Italy.

“Pinasa ko na din ang proposal na iyan na kilalanin iyong higher educational level natin. Iyong mga nakapag-trabaho ng may pantay na karapatan bilang doon sa propesyon natin,” Capalad said.

Filipino workers who were already in Italy will be given priority in hiring with the job opportunities next year.

Special Visas for OFW employers

The global economic slowdown affects most overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been laid off and were sent back home with nothing. Thus, recruitment groups in the Philippines request the government to grant special visas to OFW employers so they can continue with the hiring of OFWs.

The recruiters sent a letter to call the attention of President Gloria. Macapagal-Arroyo. The letter requests to extend to OFW employers the benefits of Executive Order (EO) No. 758. The EO will grant special visas for employment generation (SVEGs) to foreigners who could employ at least 10 Filipinos in the country.

The EO 758, issued in November, states that a foreigner with an SVEG would be considered special non-immigrants with multiple entry privileges and conditional extended stay, without need of prior departure from the Philippines.

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Filipino Welders in-demand than other workers

The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) stated that Filipino welders are more in-demand in industry here in the Philippines as well as overseas than any other workers.

According to TESDA Region 1 Director Washington Agustin welders, especially structural welder, comes number one requirement of manpower both here and abroad.

He said that structural welders are highly in-demand in ship building industry and manufacturer of industrial tanks, including LPG (liquefied petroleum tanks).

Agustin address the need of welders locally and overseas during his speech in the commencement exercise of 136 trainees in Shielded Metal Arch Welding sponsored by TESDA in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

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Deployment ban for OFWs remains

The Palace has decided to retain the deployment ban for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Nigeria, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

This was the agreement of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with Philippine ambassadors to Middle East during their meeting in Doha, Qatar. The meeting was called to assess the situation of OFWs in the five countries.

Despite the need of the of these five countries with thousands of foreign workers, the President decided to keep the deployment ban to protect the safety and well being of OFWs. Filipino workers will not be allowed to work here particularly in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Philippines will open an embassy in Damascus by February to cater the needs of some 15,000 OFWs here whom about 80% are undocumented. This embassy will be under the management of Ambassador Wilfredo Cuyugan.

Deployment Ban in Lebanon partially lifted

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has partially lifted the deployment of overseas Filipino workers in Lebanon.

The DoLE Secretary Marianito Roque instructed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to search for job orders from Lebanon.

“I have already given instructions to look into the job offers and that they can already (entertain)… provided that the employer abides by our HSW (household service workers) rules and see if it is worth considering,” Roque said.

According to Roque Lebanese employers can only hire OFWs provided that they must comply with the rules on hiring of Filipino household workers, including the minimum monthly salary of $400.

Hiring of Filipino domestic helpers will only resume when the POEA has issue an official resolution lifting the ban.

Skilled Workers needed in Cyprus

Cyprus will be needing skilled workers such as electricians, chefs, concrete finishers, manicurists and labor workers, for thousands of jobs that would be available for next year.

The demand will still depend with the status of economy if it will improve, according to a report in ABS-CBN website.

The report also said the Cypriot recruiters who are eyeing Filipino workers who will work for two huge marina projects in Limassol and Larnaca starting February.

Overseas Mega Jobs Expo

Visit the 1-day event and opportunities dubbed as “Overseas Mega Jobs Expo” organized by the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc (PASEI) on December 12, 2008, 9 am - 5 pm at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Primeblock Building Tutuban Mall. Divisoria, Manila

This event is for FREE and no registration fee required. You may also submit your resume to pasei.jobsxpo@gmail.com. For more details you may call them at 724-9986/725-7030/725-7024/725-7082/718-0423.

Finally a Website Especially Created For Nurses

Are you a licensed nurse looking for a job? Or a nursing student confused on what nursing specialty to focus on? Perhaps a new nursing graduate preparing for board exam and want to know the best review center?

Good news! There is a new website designed to suit your needs. NursingGuide.ph is a resource website where student and professional nurses can find everything they need to know about nursing. This website will provide information and serves as a guide on how to maximize local and global opportunities for Filipino nurses.

It also has a NursingGuide Forum, a nursing community where members can discuss anything and everything about the profession. The following are some of the things you can do at the site and the forum:

• Meet fellow nurses and increase your social network.
• Discover jobs and opportunities for nurses.
• Get in touch with nursing colleagues.
• Get tips on how to pass licensure exams.
• Post your concerns and questions.
• Share your knowledge and experiences.
• Rate a nursing school or review center.

So what are you waiting for! Visit NursingGuide and register in the forum now!

You can also create your own nurse profile and enjoy all the cool features of a new social networking site for the modern-day heroes: OFWNation!
Join the Nurses Corner in OFWNation now!