DOLE mulling alternatives for Pinoy workers affected by freeze hiring in Taiwan
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is considering South Korea and other Middle Eastern countries as alternatives for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may be affected after the Taiwan government stopped the hiring of new Filipino workers on Wednesday.
The freeze hiring order came as a protest against the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in the waters off Batanes on May 9.
Taiwan on Wednesday froze the hiring of Philippine workers and recalled its envoy to Manila in protest over the killing of a fisherman, rejecting an apology over the incident as inadequate.
The 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead by Philippine coastguards last week after they said his vessel had strayed into territorial waters, sparking outrage in Taiwan at a time of high tensions over regional maritime disputes.
Taiwan said earlier that the Philippines had apologized over the incident, but President Ma Ying-jeou insisted Manila offer a formal apology and compensation, apprehend the killer and launch talks on the fishing industry.
"President Ma expressed his strong dissatisfaction over the Philippines' lack of sufficient sincerity and its shifting attitude," spokeswoman Lee Chia-fei told reporters, adding that the president would recall Taipei's envoy to Manila.
Other Filipino workers not affected
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Taiwan's decision to stop issuing working visas to Filipinos would not affect OFWs who are already working in Taiwan.
Baldoz said she has not yet received any official communication from the Taiwan officials about the “freeze order”.
“It’s only temporary and we hope that this matter would be immediately resolved,” according to Baldoz.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said it is currently processing the documents of more than 500 applicants to Taiwan.
However, with the new decision of Taiwan, POEA has consulted the employers of the Filipino applicants.
There are around 80,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan, mostly factory workers or caregivers. - VVP, GMA News
The freeze hiring order came as a protest against the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in the waters off Batanes on May 9.
Taiwan on Wednesday froze the hiring of Philippine workers and recalled its envoy to Manila in protest over the killing of a fisherman, rejecting an apology over the incident as inadequate.
The 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead by Philippine coastguards last week after they said his vessel had strayed into territorial waters, sparking outrage in Taiwan at a time of high tensions over regional maritime disputes.
Taiwan said earlier that the Philippines had apologized over the incident, but President Ma Ying-jeou insisted Manila offer a formal apology and compensation, apprehend the killer and launch talks on the fishing industry.
"President Ma expressed his strong dissatisfaction over the Philippines' lack of sufficient sincerity and its shifting attitude," spokeswoman Lee Chia-fei told reporters, adding that the president would recall Taipei's envoy to Manila.
Other Filipino workers not affected
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Taiwan's decision to stop issuing working visas to Filipinos would not affect OFWs who are already working in Taiwan.
Baldoz said she has not yet received any official communication from the Taiwan officials about the “freeze order”.
“It’s only temporary and we hope that this matter would be immediately resolved,” according to Baldoz.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said it is currently processing the documents of more than 500 applicants to Taiwan.
However, with the new decision of Taiwan, POEA has consulted the employers of the Filipino applicants.
There are around 80,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan, mostly factory workers or caregivers. - VVP, GMA News
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