Eight countries emerge as destinations for OFWs: POEA

October 2, 2020

Eight countries are emerging as destinations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a televised press briefing, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia said these are Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei, Canada, United Kingdom and Cuba.

"They have slowly eased travel restrictions and lockdowns in these various destination labor countries," said Olalia.

Olalia said Bahrain and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have said they are prepared to accept foreign workers.

"Among the in demand jobs there are still the skilled workers, said Olalia.

In Singapore, Hong Kong, and Brunei, Olalia said "among the in demand workers there are skilled workers and some household service workers."

For Canada and United Kingdom, Olalia said: '' In demand work there are healthcare workers, especially nurses.''

Olalia said Cuba accepts "'mostly construction workers.''

Government records show  more than 200,000 OFWs have been displaced and repatriated since the start of the global COVID-19 pandenic. DMS