Labor Opportunities for OFWs in the United States
Karen Rose T. Ceñidoza, Nov 14, 2005
The First International Labor Opportunities Forum (ILOF) spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment Labor Opportunities Program (DOLOP) recently-held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) gives a new hope for Filipino workers as foreign employers from different countries revealed that lots of job opportunities are waiting for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in their respective countries.
According to Honorable Alberto del Rosario, the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, labor opportunities for OFWs in the US continue to emerge since “the US and the Philippines have strong affinity with each other”.
He added that “the Philippines serves as the provider of highly-skilled workers” for the land of milk and honey from 1700s up to the 21st century. And because of the growing labor market in the said country, he stated in the 21st century, there are some 2.37 million Filipinos in the US.
From the year 2002 to 2005, the US has accommodated the deployment of at least 15,000 Filipino medical workers; over 500 OFWs in the hotel and other service industries; and over 4,000 Filipino teachers, physical therapists, engineers, and other professionals in the said country.
The Demand for Registered Nurses (RN) and Physical Therapists (PT) in the US
In the year 2003, there are at least 130, 000 registered nursing and PT slots in the US. By the year 2010, the US government expects to have 275, 000 RN and PT slots and 800, 000 job vacancies by 2020.
The ambassador said that the US has only limited visa slots per country. In fact, the total annual US EB-3 Visa is only 140, 000. In 2004, the EB-3 visas from the Philippines, India, and China ran out, however, 50, 000 visas were recaptured to the Philippines advantage.
The Demand for Teachers
Hon. Del Rosario further stated that the US is currently experiencing a critical shortage of Science and Mathematics teachers. However, he also said that since 2002 the US is taking the advantage of the opportunity of employing large numbers of Filipino teachers.
He also encouraged Filipino teachers to avail the PRAXIS, the required licensure examination for teachers in all the states of the US. Through this licensure examination, the US can ensure the entrance of qualified Filipino teachers in the country.
