OFWs have to wait for jobs at home — DOLE

Overseas Filipino workers would have to wait a while before government can generate enough decent jobs for them to come home, the country’s new labor chief said over the weekend. For now, President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III ordered to increase protection for OFWs in their host countries, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said on government-run dzRB radio. “Bagamat ang layunin mag-create ng bagong jobs sa ating bansa at magkaroon ng maayos na hanapbuhay, maaaring ‘di agad mangyari ‘yan. Sa ating kababayang nasa ibang bansa na nagtatrabaho at magtatrabaho, mas malawak na proteksyon gustong makita ni Pangulong Aquino (While the intention is to create new jobs in the country – to have decent jobs – this may not happen immediately. For our compatriots working abroad and those planning to work overseas, President Aquino wants to see increased protection.)," Baldoz said. The Labor Department and other government offices still need to lay down the groundwork to generate more jobs at home, she said. Aquino, in his inaugural speech on Wednesday, promised to generate more jobs at home leveling the playing field to encourage more investments so that Filipinos need not go abroad for jobs that pay better. “We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business," the President said. “Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailangan ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap ng trabaho (Our goal is to generate enough jobs so Filipinos need not go abroad to find work)," he added. In the meantime, he ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – previously headed by Baldoz – to address the concerns of OFWs. —VS, GMANews.TV