Jobs, business opportunities await retrenched workers

Returning OFWs can as construction workers in any ongoing property development project in Cebu. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Job opportunities abound in Cebu, but businessmen said these might not be enough to absorb returning migrant workers who have lost their jobs because of the falling crude prices.

Besides, the migrant workers might not have the skills required by employers here, said former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) official Fernando “Perry” Fajardo.

“It is not about whether we can absorb them. It’s about their skills and knowledge, their competitiveness in the local job market. And the local job market is not that small anymore,” Fajardo said.

Age is another factor taken into consideration. Many of the overseas Filipino workers may already be in their late 20s or mid 30s, or even in their 40s while employers typically look for younger employees.

Lito Maderazo, former president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there might not be enough job opportunities for everybody.

“We still have many who are unemployed in Cebu. Aside from the fact that the OFWs might not have the skills needed in the present jobs, they will also be competing against the unemployed work force already here,” he said.

Based on the latest data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the unemployment rate in Central Visayas is 5.4 percent, or around 183,000 people.

Maderazo said the best course of action for migrant workers would be to start their own businesses.

“With their skills, they can start up businesses in fields like manufacturing, agriculture or service,” he said.

Another option is to get a job in construction or manufacturing companies, said Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Donato Busa.
Mandaue City, in particular, is already experiencing a shortage of factory workers, he said.

“It’s getting hard for many manufacturers in Mandaue to find labor now because there are many job opportunities that are more attractive,” Busa said.

He said there might be enough jobs because of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration, which will create a single market and facilitate the free flow of goods, services and people across the 10 member-countries.

Busa added that depending on the skill set and experience migrant workers have, they could  look for job opportunities in other places outside the Philippines as well.

“Ang mga Pilipino actually, kugihan jud mangita og trabaho (Filipinos actually are hardworking). It will not be so difficult for them to find jobs,” Busa said.