DOLE ready to sign deal with Australia for OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it would ink a deal with the government of South Australia to make jobs available to Filipinos. In a statement, Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque said that preparations are under way for the deployment of workers to South Australia. The program would be similar to previous agreements with various provinces of Canada. The South Australia deal would also "facilitate the flow of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families." The Labor department signed deals with four provinces of Canada this year namely Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. These deals would provide safe and ethical recruitment avenues for OFWs and provide protection for workers and human resource development programs, which would upgrade the skills of OFWs. Mr. Roque said that the agreement with South Australia would provide more opportunities for workers that could be laid off due to the global financial crisis. He added that the labor market in South Australia would be attractive to skilled workers needed for manufacturing. A team from the department has met with the South Australian government to fine-tune the provisions of the memorandum of understanding. Mr. Roque said that the team also checked out the labor market of South Australia. "The memorandum of understanding will most likely be signed early next year," Mr. Roque said. — Emilia Narni J. David, BusinessWorld