No talks with China yet on deployment of OFWs: DOLE

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday clarified reports that the government has put on hold the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to China as a result of the controversy brought by the national broadband network (NBN) deal.

"There is nothing to put on hold because there is no formal talk yet with China as far as the deployment of OFWs is concerned," Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo Brion said.

"We are still in the process of looking at the possibility of tapping China as a new market for OFWs, especially for teachers and other skilled workers. China is one of the emerging labor markets that will sustain deployment in the years to come," Brion added.

Brion deplored the news reports linking the possible labor ties with the NBN deal. "Let's hope we have not started on the wrong foot on our future relationship with China because of this news report," he said.