Covid-19: Over 700,000 OFWs expected to lose jobs

Last updated on May 17th, 2021 at 11:33 am

METRO MANILA – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday, that around 700,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may lose their job due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide.

Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay said in a briefing with the economic team, the immediate and long term effect of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to unfold and becoming more evident as tourism, retail and personal services sectors which offers employments opportunities to Filipinos continues to get affected.

The limited economic activities overseas naturally would result to that host country reserving jobs to their citizens.

Tutay reported that around 500,000 OFWs are currently being affected by the pandemic and if the situation did not improve at the end of the year, The agency is looking at 200,000 more OFWs will be out of employment.

DOLE however said that there are other several opportunities abroad on other industries such as healthcare workers, information technology and construction sectors.

The agency is also offering grants and loans to OFWs returning home to enable them to start their own business. The country is currently implementing ban on the deployment of nurses abroad but those who were able to secure work contracts prior to March 8 can be allowed to leave the country.