DOLE: Jobs available in RP but more Pinoys leaving

MANILA, Philippines - Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito Roque on Friday maintained that jobs are available in the Philippine despite the increase in the number of Filipinos who were deployed outside the country in the first six months of 2008. His remarks came the same day that it was learned that 640,000 Filipinos left the country from January to June this year. The data came from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which said that the said figure was 33 percent higher compared to 479,725 Pinoys deployed abroad during the same period in 2007. The said increase is much higher compared to the normal three percent deployment growth every year, according to Roque. But the increase on the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) doesn’t mean that jobs opportunity lack here in the Philippines. “Overseas employment is only an option…well higher pay and better employment terms and conditions," explained by Roque. Roque made the remarks when interviewed by GMA news. The report was aired over 24 Oras. The possibility of more Filipinos to leave the Philippines in the coming days will surely happen after the labor department announced that are more job opportunity available for professional and skilled workers in European countries like France, Finland, Australia and Canada. Roque said the Phillippines is about to seal a memorandum of understanding with France to allow the entry of Filipino nurses, IT professionals and engineers. Finland, meanwhile, is in need of nurses, Roque added. In Southern Australia, there are 30,000 job vacancies for professional and skilled workers. Three provinces in Canada are looking for engineers, nurses, welders, trailer drivers and bartenders. But Roque said one of the requirements in the European countries is for foreign workers is to learn their language. “Requirements nila yun otherwise hindi kayo magkakaintindihan… Sa Finland willing sila na magpadala ng teachers dito (to teach Pinoy of their language)," Roque said. - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV