More Filipino workers are entering Palau because the economic growth of the said country requires the deployment of more foreign workers. The answer of Palau President to an interview with Saipan Tribune confirmed the need to hire more Filipino workers.

President Remengesau said, “The economy is doing well and that's why there's a lot of Filipino workers brought in.”

In spite of the boom in the economy, Palau do no have enough manpower. To fill the gaps in the labor shortage, Palau prefers to hire workers from the county closest to them which is the Philippines. Palau is only 528 miles southeast of the Philippines with an estimated population of 20,000.

Remengesau added, “As you know, Filipinos blend in with Palauan culture. Religion is one thing. English proficiency is a big asset to the Filipino workers and they are skilled workers,”

An estimate of 4,700 Filipinos are said to be employed in Palau for the year 2006. Filipinos in Palau are working as government employees, engineers, IT technicians, medical practitioners, accountants, teachers, managers, and school administrators. Other Filipinos are in service personnel and private businesses.

“The Filipinos are good citizens of Palau. It's working well,” Remengesau said.