The Filipino Overseas Worker still has a lot of opportunities abroad. In a report reaching Labor and Employment Secretary Pat Sto. Tomas, the OFWs are still preferred overseas because of excellent work ethics, qualities and skills. More than ever, DOLE announced the need to strengthen the country’s edge in the overseas labor market.

Even though opportunities are knocking on the doors, OFWs must continually rehash their skills to be globally competitive. This is a must since China and other Asian countries have set its eyes on competing with the Filipinos in being a top choice on the labor market.

The Labor Market Intelligence Report (LMIR) of the DOLE’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA reports the worldwide demand for OFWs in emerging labor markets. Despite the deployment ban on Iraq, many countries still has their doors open for overseas Filipino workers.

Americas:
Class size reduction, teacher attrition and increased enrollent are the reasons why USA needs more teachers. The demand for nurses in their country is projected to increase by 25.3 percent during the decade. Canada, on the other hand, would hire 59,000 to 113,000 nurses up to 2011 on top of medical and construction workers and caregivers.

Labor Demand:
USA
Teachers & Nurses
Canada
Nurses and Medical Personnel

Asia
Hong Kong continues to prefer OFWs as it sustains its economic momentum. Taiwan, also set for economic recovery, similarly prefers OFWs. Singapore is providing impetus for more OFWs needed by its growing ICT industry. It also aims to be the premiere regional healthcare hub. South Korea has forged understanding and cooperation with the Philippines on the deployment of OFWs. Kazakhstan has likewise forged a pact of friendship and cooperation with the Philippines.

Labor Demands:
Japan
English teachers, engineers and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals
Taiwan
OFWs for electronics, IT and manufacturing industries and caregivers
HK
Household workers and skilled OFWs for HongKong industries
Singapore
Laboratory technicians, nurses and physiotherapists, biochemical and healthcare. Singapore also needs manufacturing and ICT workers
Korea
Electronic workers
Kazakhstan
Technical/skilled oil/energy and construction workers
Macau
University instructors, nurses, caregivers, hotel/restaurant and gaming operators, security personnel and DHs

Europe
Filipino nurses and other medical and paramedical workers are highly in demand in several European countries including the UK, Ireland, and Slovenia in view of their aging population.

Labor Demands:
United Kingdom
Medical and paramedical workers including nurses, midwives, medical technologists, caregivers, and restaurant workers
Ireland
Hotel and catering workers
Croatia
Hotel and tourism workers
Slovenia
Nurses

Middle East
OFWs have been a necessary component in the economy growth of Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. A bigger window of opportunity is expected to open as the preparations ensue for the forthcoming Asian Games to be hosted in 2006 in Doha, Qatar.

Labor Demands:
Skilled OFWs for infrastructure development projects in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates including gas, electricity, water, finance, communications, engineering design, retail, health services, construction, information