Hundreds seek overseas work at DMW job fair

MANILA — Hundreds of Filipinos on Thursday sought opportunities abroad in the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) Labor Day job fair, just as the agency warned the public of illegal recruiters that aim to exploit Filipino workers. 

Some 3,000 job seekers pre-registered with the DMW but hundreds more walked in carrying their resumes and other requirements. 

Among those seeking jobs was 26-year-old Lorraine Flores, who wants to become a cruise line worker. 

Flores said she prepared for the job fair by wearing a blazer and printing her resumes, but admitted that she has no formal experience in the services sector. 

She said she worked as a call center agent for the past 3 years, but she resigned weeks earlier, hoping she could find a job overseas. 

“Nagbabakasakali lang sa pag-cruise kasi gusto ko ring mag-travel abroad at makatulong sa pamilya, siyempre,” she said. 

“Anything will do… Nakita ko lang ito sa Facebook. Hindi talaga ako masyado prepared,” she added. 

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Twenty-one-year-old Janli Martillano, a senior high school graduate, hopes to work in Japan or Korea. 

Martillano said he worked in a fast food chain and he would use this experience to his advantage for opportunities in farming, welding, or bartending. 

“Sumubok ako mag-apply para makatulong sa father ko kasi siya na lang kasi ang nagpo-provide sa amin. Wala na rin kasi akong mother,” he said. 

Ronnel Baleno, 34, said he wants to work overseas again, as opportunities are stale here in the Philippines. 

Baleno said he previously worked in Taiwan for 8 years as a factory worker.

“Sana ma-hire kailangan na rin ng pera kasi… Mahirap trabaho dito sa Pinas, mahina ang kita,” he said. “Mahirap buhay dito, mahal ang bilihin, maliit ang sahod.” 

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in-demand jobs for Filipinos include those in the health care, services, and manufacturing sectors. 

The job fair also ensures that Filipinos will not fall into the schemes of illegal recruiters. 

DMW said 4,700 employment opportunities await Pinoys from 11 licensed recruitment agencies offering land and sea-based jobs in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Taiwan, United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

The job fair is open until 4 p.m. Those who would not be able to make it to the cut off may still leave their application forms and requirements to the recruitment agency.  

As elections and Labor Day draw near, workers call for salary increase, pro-worker reforms