Overseas workers’ skills upgrade, protection pushed

MANILA, Philippines The country should make its workforce more competitive and ensure they are protected.

Speaking at a joint general membership meeting of the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines, Prince Constantijn of The Netherlands cited the need to improve Filipinos’ competitiveness to keep them on par with peers abroad.

At the same time, he also admitted that brain drain is a problem for the country, as much-needed talents seek greener pastures abroad. "There is a need to create an environment at home for people to fully exploit their talent," he said. "But for people who still want to work abroad, the government should provide enough protection."

Doris Magsaysay Ho, president and chief executive officer of maritime-focused Magsaysay Group of Companies, said the government and private sector should craft a clear vision and strategy on labor mobility.

For instance, she said businessmen should come up with a list of industries where job opportunities abound for Filipinos both here and abroad. "One of the Philippines’ greatest assets is its people. The country should provide access to global opportunities and ensure safety nets," she said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos, for his part, said the government has been doing its part in providing opportunities and ensuring the safety of Filipino migrant workers. For instance, he said the Philippines is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Declaration on Promotion and Protection of Rights of Migrant Workers. This year, the country is hosting the second meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development.

Official data shows there are 8.2 million Filipino migrant workers all over the world. Their remittances reached $14.4 billion last year. Remittances for the first quarter this year grew 13.2% to $3.95 billion from $3.49 billion in the same period last year.

The main sources of remittances are the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. — B. S. Sto. Domingo, BusinessWorld

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