Labor official sees demand for Filipino construction workers in Canada

(FILE) In this file photo the Canadian flag flies over the Lake Louise ski lodge in the Canadian Rockies November 29, 2017 in Lake Louise, Alberta. AFP file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s labor attaché in Toronto is optimistic that more construction jobs in Canada might open for Filipinos.

Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo, labor attaché at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Toronto, said employers in Canada are looking for foreign employees because of the lack of available construction workers in Canada.

“Mag-i-increase dyan ang demand dahil wala nang nandito sa Canada na gustong magtrabaho sa construction industry. That’s why they are going outside of Canada. I believe ‘yan ‘yung mag-i-increase na demand for Filipino workers,” she said in an online media forum.

(The demand will increase because not many people in Canada want to work in the construction industry. That’s why they are looking for employees outside Canada. I believe the demand for Filipino workers in this industry will increase.)

According to Nagayo, at least five companies have reached out to the POLO in Toronto expressing interest in hiring Filipino construction workers.

She said these firms liked the work ethics of Filipino employees.

However, Nagayo said the companies are “not that open yet” to go through the process of hiring because they need the workers immediately.

“Ine-encourage namin na mag-hire sila from the Philippines kasi ang gusto nila ‘yung mga nandito [sa Canada],” she said. “Slowly they are looking into that idea of hiring from the Philippines.”

(We are encouraging them to hire from the Philippines because they want to hire those already here in Canada… Slowly they are looking into that idea of hiring from the Philippines.)

She added one employer alone said they needed 5,000 workers.

“Wala silang makita sa mga nandito sa Canada na willing magtrababaho kasi medyo nasa minimum wage ang ino-offer nila na sweldo. General labor kasi ang kanilang hinahanap,” she added.

(They can’t find people here in Canada who are willing to work because they are offering minimum wage. They are looking for general labor workers.)

Aside from construction, other jobs that could be more in demand for Filipinos in Canada include those in the agriculture, food industry, and machine operations, according to Nagayo.

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JPV