Targeted deployment of OFWs needed in next 2 years

A strategic means of deploying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), backed by knowledge on areas of demand and diplomatic representation, will be needed in the next two years to restart foreign employment and protect the rights of those still working abroad, according to a policy brief by the Ateneo de Manila University.

Ateneo economist Geoffrey Ducanes and Social Weather station fellow Alcestis Mangahas said while retrenchments of migrant workers are estimated to reach nearly half a million amid the pandemic, there will still be more than several million Filipinos working worldwide.

Some of them can be expected to renegotiate terms with their employers to keep their jobs, while those positioned in booming sectors like healthcare can even see higher wages.

“Our OFWs will adjust their expectations and agree to lower wages, reduced benefits at work and forego leaves in order to preserve existing jobs. They will wait out uncertainty with the hope that eventually labor markets will stabilize,” the report said.

“On the other hand, certain occupations, for example in the health sector, will rise in value and this will be seen in higher wages and improved conditions of work.”

While demand for foreign workers worldwide can be expected to be sustained amid the pandemic, the magnitude of hiring is expected to be scaled back within the next two years.

“There are expectations that the demand for additional labor force will continue, especially in aging societies,” said the brief.

Demand for health staff can be expected to remain stable and so will professionals in IT and engineering (operations and maintenance).

International shipping will expand with the revival of trade, but manning for cruise ships cannot be expected to resume soon.

The authors said restarting foreign employment would require the support of bilateral agreements and regional frameworks to ensure the security and safety of jobs for Filipino workers.

Support should also be given to OFWs still holding on to their jobs abroad to safeguard their rights and point them to opportunities for supplemental work.

“Policy and program focus should shift to ensuring employment and social protection of our workers continuing to live and work abroad, especially in ensuring access to health

care and services. Diplomatic representation is essential at the highest levels to safeguard visa rights and provide opportunities for additional and supplemental work,” said the brief.

“This may also be the time to identify and stop coercion and the use of force to compel work and enable abuse and harassment. This will also require revisiting national regulations covering private recruitment agencies.”

The Philippines, as one of the top sources of migrant workers in the world, is already feeling the pain in terms of the job displacement, repatriation. Citing data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the authors said that by the end of 2020, there may be as many as 400,00 OFWs repatriated after losing their jobs.

Many of the affected OFWs were those performing elementary occupations such as domestic work, most of whom are women.

Remittances in April 2020 were already lower by 16 percent from last year and is forecast to decline by anywhere from 10 to 30 percent for the entire year.

Diminished money from abroad poses risks to the welfare of their beneficiaries.

For OFWs that were already repatriated, the authors urge the government to continue the provision of assistance for organized return to their provinces, job placements, and skills retooling.