Philippine consul general in Sydney, Maria Theresa Lazaro reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that INCO-GORO Nickel Company of New Caledonia (INCO) would need 3,000 overseas Filipino workers for a scale mining in 2006.

INCO is a Canadian majority-owned company in partnership with Sumitomo Japan and is considered to be the biggest nickel mining company in the world.

The deployment of the said OFWs will be facilitated by the country’s two top engineering companies, AG&P Philippines and EEI Philippines. They will be heavily involved in the construction of a nickel and cobalt mining processing plant in Southern New Caledonia They are expected to arrive in batches in the middle of 2006.

Lazaro reported to DFA that the mining executives of INCO-GORO Nickel Company of New Caledonia (INCO) have assured that the work rights of the OFWs will be protected and observed, in accordance with international and local labor laws.

She also said that she already have a tour with the working site and the facilities. It has 2,500-bedroom dormitory, a medical facility, community rooms, and a mess hall.

“The Philippines looks forward to the successful implementation of this project. We are proud to contribute our share in the future development of New Caledonia. We hope that this paves the way for future areas of cooperation that would be ultimately beneficial to all". Consul General Lazaro said during the discussion with the INCO executives.

New Caledonia is an overseas autonomous archipelagic territory under France located in the South Pacific. It is located 6,452 kms. Southeast of Manila and 1,991 kms. Northeast of Sydney. It has one of the largest-known nickel resources in the world, supplying 25% of the world's nickel market.