Over 500,000 More Filipinos Coming to UAE
By Gemma Casas Published: May 23, 2015
DUBAI: Over half a million more Filipinos are projected to be hired in various industries in the UAE between now and 2020 when Dubai hosts the much touted World Expo, the first in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) Region.
Acting Consul General Giovanni Palec told The Filipino Times the government’s projection is based on the private sector’s forecast for manpower demand from the Philippines to fill vacancies in the tourism and hospitality, healthcare, retail, construction, aviation, oil and gas, education, among other industries needing their skills and experience.
“Well, if we base our computation with a 10 percent growth, we may reach that number. Right now, I can say that we have a substantial increase,” the diplomat said and noted that the recruitment for Filipinos to come to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other outlying emirates is constant and at bulk figures, especially among medical professionals like nurses.
Philippine Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz disclosed many hospitals in the UAE are recruiting Filipino nurses.
Based on POEA data, the recruitment involves both registered nurses and non-board passers who will be hired as nursing attendants or support staff in clinics and hospitals in the UAE.
Recruitment agencies in the Philippines with the highest number mandates to hire nurses needed in the UAE include Abba Personnel Services Inc. (more than 1,000 vacancies notified); Innovative Manpower Services (194); Skills International Company, Inc., (425) God’s Will International Placement Inc. (200); and Valesco SMS (Strategic Manpower Solutions Inc.) (300).
EDI Staffbuilders International Inc. and other major recruitment firms in the country have an ‘open hiring policy’ for nurses overseas, meaning ongoing recruitments according to demand.
Unofficially, there are about 750,000 documented Filipinos in the UAE. But analysts project a higher number because thousands enter the country as tourists on a monthly basis in hopes of findings jobs.
Many of them do get lucky and find jobs and legalize their stay upon exit to the nearby Kish Island or Oman.
However, their presence in the UAE is not officially documented in the Philippine government’s records unless they register with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) or the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
Those who entered the UAE as tourists and transitioned themselves as legal workers are forced to register when they exit for vacation and apply for the so-called Overseas Exit Clearance or OEC, a requirement among overseas Filipinos to be able to come back to their jobsites.
The high volume of Filipinos in the UAE poses a challenge to the Philippine Mission, according to officials.
Though they are still managing to provide for their needs, more staff and advance technology to serve them better are needed.
Brain drain no more
In a random interview, many Filipinos expressed happiness over news that more of their compatriots would be given the chance to work in the UAE. Still other have raised concern over its impact to their community.
Hayden Robledo Rellores, a freelance photographer in Abu Dhabi, said the news only means the Philippine government is still not capable of providing high-paying jobs in the country.
“I’m not happy because the rise in the number of Filipinos in the UAE is a clear indication that the Philippine government is not capable of producing jobs for its people,” he said.
Jorge Bautista Maningding, typist/general clerk in Abu Dhabi, echoed the issue on brain drain but nonetheless expressed happiness that there’s a great demand for Filipinos overseas.
“Our country is losing competent individuals but then I am also happy that they will get better opportunities. I admire our overseas Filipinos for having the courage to leave their families in the Philippines to provide for them better,” he said.
Lowel P. Dalisay, assistant HR manager also in Abu Dhabi, said she’s happy that more Filipinos are coming to the UAE because it shows that we are competent and world-class workers sought after in developed countries.
Jermain C. Poncardas, ER nurse at Tourist Club based in the UAE’s capital, echoed the same, saying, “Hitting one million by 2020 should make us happy. It is a sign that UAE recognize our skills and capacity to deliver best results. It is also a chance for us Filipinos to show our world class skills in creating a better world.”
Another nurse, Rochelle Bongalon, said that only shows that skilled Filipinos are preferred over other nationalities who are also looking for opportunities.
“We should be happy because it would mean more Filipinos would be gainfully employed. However, it also means that there aren’t enough jobs in the Philippines. Brain drain continues,” added Cynthia Reburiano, business development manager.
Michael John Vinoray, marketing associate in Abu Dhabi, said leaving the Philippines not necessarily mean bad for the country as those who have left manage to help propel prosperity through their much valued remittances.
On average, the Philippines receive about $25 million in remittances from the estimated more than 12 million overseas Filipinos, money that generate economic activities in major cities and even far flung areas.
“We give more help to our country through our remittances. In that way, were not just helping our families but the whole country. Having more of us here will also increase bayanihan which we are known for,” said Vinoray.
The International Organization for Migration said the impact of remittances to the Philippines from Filipinos overseas shouldn’t be underestimated.
While it is true that their migration overseas is fuelled by the need to provide for their families, the country ultimately benefit from their prosperity.
“Remittances have increased tremendously, particularly in the past 10 years. It took 15 years to reach 1 billion USD, 12 to reach 10 billion USD and only 7 to surpass 20 billion USD, the latest recorded peak in 2012,” IOM said in its country report for the Philippines.
“The growth is attributed to the burgeoning presence of OFWs in more than 224 destinations with relatively longer years of employment engagement, a growing market leadership in the high wage-earning seafaring sector, an assumed wage escalation among those with extended contracts, and longer service records,” it added.
Palec, who is due for recall next year, couldn’t agree more. He said in the past, Filipinos are associated with domestic or household jobs. Now, they hold key management positions, entrusted with responsibilities that offer them better wages.
“We’ve come a long way,” he said.
After Saudi Arabia which hosts more than 1 million Filipinos, the UAE has the largest population of nationals from the Philippines in the Middle East.
Globalization is seen to push more Filipinos to work outside of the country.
“Labor migration from the Philippines has constantly grown in the past 40 years and has more than doubled in the past 10 years with 2012 believed to be the peak year surpassing the deployment figure of 1,850,463 in 2011,” IOM said in its report.