OFWs to compete with 6-M Iraqis for reconstruction jobs

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) hoping to land jobs for the reconstruction of Iraq will still have to compete with about six million unemployed Iraqis themselves although several key areas remain favored spots for OFW employment.

The Philippine Public-Private Sector Partnership for the Reconstruction and Development of Iraq, led by Makati Business Club chairman Ricardo Romulo, said they have dispatched a team to explore possible opportunities for Filipino contractors in Iraq since the bulk of the works will be in infrastructure and construction.

Among the areas where Filipinos can get first crack at employment include supervisory and management service, healthcare services and those involving highly technical or skilled operations.

Apart from these fields, the multi-sectoral body said initial estimates also point to manpower needs in the following: City/municipal services management; administration of provinces; policy advisors and internal security; prisons administration; border security and passport surety/immigration; bank managers; water/sanitation specialists; telecommunications experts; air traffic controllers; highway systems administration; and census operations.

While the US government, which will take the lead in the reconstruction of the former Sadam Hussein-controlled nation, is expected to give hiring preference to Iraqis – where a fifth of their population are jobless – the Philippine exploratory team said Filipinos may still have an edge over other nationalities, including the Iraqis, in a number of job areas.

The team, along with President Arroyo, will, likewise, make their pitch for Filipino employment in Iraq when the President makes her scheduled state visit to the US later this month.