LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III encouraged overseas Filipino worker (OFW) returnees to take advantage of the 30,000 job opportunities being offered by the information technology and business process management industry.
This as the Department of Labor and Employment and the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) signed a data-sharing agreement, which allows both parties to share data for easier job facilitation in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Among the vacancies offered by the IBPAP-member companies are in customer service, technical support and healthcare.
“The department hopes that we can contribute to the further growth and competitiveness of the industry by providing its needed manpower. Likewise, the information that will be shared to us by IBPAP will be of great help as we craft policies and programs that can improve the industry, especially as we transition to a new and better normal,” Bello said in a virtual signing ceremony with IBPAP President and Chief Executive Officer Rey Untal.
Under the agreement, DOLE will provide IBPAP the list of OFW applicants and their corresponding details, such as previous or current occupation, area of residence, contact details and other information beneficial in facilitating potential employment.
On the other hand, IBPAP will provide DOLE with the list of IT-BPM establishments that are part of the program and the email address of their representatives, as well as market information such as job positions available, job descriptions and salary range.
To be included in the database, OFWs should register at the DOLE’s tracking system, the OFW Assistance Information System (Oasu) at http://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/.
IBPAP-member companies will then reach out to OFW returnees for possible employment opportunities.
“OFWs keep the economy afloat and they will continue to do so without going out of the country,” said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, who commended the program for supporting the sustainable reintegration of OFWs.
Also present in the ceremony is Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay, who said the initiative is a “great opportunity to get people back to employment.”