Demand for OFWs in Asia Remains Bright

January 2007POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 06-07DEMAND FOR OFWS IN ASIA REMAINS BRIGHTAt the recently concluded Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Command Conference in Manila, the POLOs in Asia reported that the demand for OFWs in Asia remained bright despite competition posed by other labor sending-countries and restrictive labor and nationalization policies of some host countries. The region's continued economic growth has resulted to construction of major infrastructures and industrial projects. Consequently, it has induced a steady increase in the demand for foreign workers such as professionals (engineers, teachers and IT workers) and skilled workers. Asian countries, particularly Korea (under the Employment Permit System) and Taiwan remain to be major destinations for Filipino factory workers. There are also emerging opportunities for IT and healthcare workers in Taiwan, while Korea will require skilled workers in the construction and ship-building sectors. On the other hand, Singapore's hotel and gaming industry offers bright employment prospects for managers, supervisors and skilled workers that includes croupiers, dealers, chambermaids and waiters/waitresses. There are also demands for architects, engineers and draftsmen in Singapore's...