THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it will create a program to train household workers, factory staff, and victims of human trafficking to help them transition into the caregiving industry where they can earn significant incomes.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac made the announcement in recognition of the significant contributions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially women in the caregiving economy who are globally acknowledged for their services.
“We want to harness this very strong potential that is very innate among us Filipinos and we know for sure that the carers whether formal or informal are women, so it is appropriate that we are doing this during the Women’s Month,” Cacdac said.
He said the women’s skills can easily be transformed into caring roles and they are quite adaptable and accessible.
“Additionally, individuals affected by trafficking, regardless of gender, can also be shifted into care work,” Cacdac said.
Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation, lawyer Patricia Yvonne Caunan, cited data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showing around 10 million vacancies in the care economy are needed internationally by year 2030.
“Filipinos are recognized as the leaders in the care economy, especially when it comes to providing care. Women often fill the roles of caregivers, nurses, and nursing assistants. This illustrates the impact of women trailblazers who are essential to the care economy, not only in the Philippines but across the globe,” Caunan said.
Meanwhile, the DMW warned prospective OFWs against the proliferation of scammers in social media offering fake TESDA certificates used as a requirement for work abroad.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “DMW to form program to help Filipinos enter caregiving industry.”