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20K jobs in Guam open for Pinoys in 3 to 5 yrs


As many as 20,000 jobs are waiting for Filipinos in the island state of Guam, a Federal territory of the United States of America. Plans to build new base facilities are underway in Guam as the US marines prepare to relocate from Okinawa to the island state by the year 2010. This was the optimistic outlook of recruitment industry leader, Vic Fernandez, president of the 700-strong member of the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI). In an interview with reporters recently, Fernandez said that his association has already prepared for the eventual tie-up with the Philippine Constructors Association that will hire manpower from the PASEI agencies. In the business meeting hosted by PASEI at the Manila Hotel, Fernandez discussed requirements and rules that will control the migration of Filipino labor with H2-B visas to Guam in the next five years. The meeting was held for member agencies and other recruitment related companies together with the Guam Economic and Development Authority (GEDCA) delegates led by Joanna Camacho, first lady of the present governor of Guam. The decision of the US Armed Forces to leave Okinawa would be a windfall for Filipino workers known for their construction prowess. Construction will start next year to the tune of US$12-billion for the relocation of the US marine base from Okinawa to Guam. However, Fernandez is worried that the Philippines may not be able to meet the demand for quality skilled workers in Guam because most of Filipino skilled workers are now deployed in the Middle East. To solve the problem, Fernandez urged the government to conduct training for the type of workers that will be needed in Guam like electricians, plumbers and others. Fernandez added that since Guam is a US territory, workers will be paid under the American labor laws and an average salary for the lowest construction workers is $1,200 a month. The government, according to POEA Administrator Rosalind Baldoz, has started to negotiate with the Guam government on the manpower requirements for the island’s construction industry. Edwina Beech, chair of PASEI, also said that aside from construction workers, Guam will need manpower for various services. The island state will need personnel to man the bases like maintenance and operations work, catering and cleaning, and all necessary work needed to operate a huge US base that will accommodate 30,000 marines and their dependents. The POEA will control the outflow of Filipino workers to Guam and the private recruitment agencies will work with licensed international contractors in the recruitment and training of competent workers. - GMANews.TV

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