Deployment of overseas workers rises 9.2 per cent

dpa, 15 June 2004

MANILA (dpa)—The deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) rose 9.2 per cent in the first five months of 2004 from a year ago amid an improved global security situation, the government said Monday.

May Dimzon, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, said 431,872 Filipinos left for work abroad from January to June 1 this year, compared to 400,103 in the same period in 2003.

There was no spectre of war this year unlike last year when the Iraq war was imminent, she said. The demands also look bright, and we are accepting and processing more job orders.

Dimzon said there was greater demand for Filipino nurses, as well as workers in the services sector.

She noted that of the total number of workers deployed for the first five months, 122,810 were new hires while 214,201 were re-hires.