AT least 4,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are expected to be deployed to Taiwan after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila is lifted by next month.
In a press statement, Philippine Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan (Pilmat) President Aida Gerodias said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco) is set to resume after May 16, 2020, the visa processing for the OFWs, who were stranded because of the travel restrictions imposed by many countries worldwide because of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Gerodias said Taiwan, among the least affected by Covid-19 due to its strict health protocols, is now in demand of more migrant workers as it eyes to resume full operations of the manufacturing sector.
Taiwan currently suffers a labor shortage due to the travel restrictions on its top sources of foreign workers like the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
It is trying to address its manpower woes by extending by three months those with expiring contracts and those who have finished the allowable 12-year stay.
Pilmat said Taiwan makes a good alternative market for many OFWs, whose destination countries have been greatly affected by the pandemic.
It said it will start processing the new hires for Taiwan once the ECQ in the National Capital Region is lifted.
All foreign workers, including OFWs, who will be arriving in Taiwan will be required to undergo 14-day quarantine before being allowed to work there.
Samuel P. Medenilla, Recto L. Mercene
Image credits: Nonie Reyes