OFW deployment posts modest growth in 1Q

The number of Filipinos working overseas slightly increased by 1.5 percent during the first quarter of the year despite stricter immigration and hiring policies in Japan and other countries.

A total of 270,356 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were hired in over 100 countries as of April 5, according to Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). This is 1,085 higher than a year ago.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas attributed the modest growth to the number of newly hired workers.

"The number of new hires went up to 74,266 or 2,588 higher than the 71,678 hired last year," Sto. Tomas said, adding that over 131,000 were rehired.

Remittances or money sent home by Filipinos working abroad could reach a total of $10 billion this year if the number of expatriate Filipinos continues to grow, she said.

"Bangko Sentral projects that global OFWs’ remittances could reach the $10 billion level this year. At the same time we expect OFW deployment to reach, if not surpass, one million."

Earlier, the recruitment industry warned of a sharp drop in the hiring of Filipino migrant workers because of a new hiring policy imposed by the Japanese government to combat human trafficking.

Filipino workers are also barred by the Philippine government from seeking work in Iraq because of the persistent violence there.

Around eight million Filipinos work in dozens of countries and aboard many ships across the globe because of lack of jobs back home. They send up to $8 billion in remittances to families back home.

About 2,000 Filipinos leave daily for jobs abroad and the welfare of Filipino migrant workers is a sensitive political issue for the government.

President Arroyo risked anger from the United States and other Western allies in July last year when she pulled out the country’s small troop contingent in Iraq after militants threatened to execute truck driver Angelo de la Cruz, who was held captive.

The government is currently trying to secure the release of Roberto Tarongoy, another Filipino worker who has been held captive in Iraq for several months by Islamic militants.

Next to merchandise exports, OFW remittances are the country’s second biggest source of foreign exchange.

Annual OFW remittances have grown from only $103 million in 1975 to $8.5 billion last year, making the Philippines the third largest recipient of migrant remittances, next to India and Mexico, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.