DOLE plans to deploy OFWs to Japan by July

He noted that the delay in the deployment of Filipino workers to Japan is due to some issues that still needed to be settled, such as the specific qualifications of the workers. (PCOO File Photo)

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is looking to start soon the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Japan, Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

“Probably (deployment can begin) within the next two months,” Bello said in an interview Friday.

He noted that the delay in the deployment of Filipino workers to Japan is due to some issues that still needed to be settled, such as the specific qualifications of the workers.

“Generally, it stated that applicants need to have language proficiency and skills upgrading. So we need to know what they really need, and up to (what) extent,” Bello said.

Last March, the Philippine and the Japanese governments signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) that aims to provide better protection in the recruitment and deployment of Filipino workers.

The hiring of OFWs is under a new specified skills residency in the host country.

The successful applicants will be deployed under two identified occupational categories: Specified Skilled Workers I and II.

The Specified Skilled Worker I has first-level expertise and can work in Japan for a maximum of five years while the Specified Skilled Worker II refers to workers with a higher level of specialization and can work in Japan indefinitely based on the renewal of the employment contract.

A total of 350,000 available jobs in Japan, specifically in the sectors of health care, building maintenance, food services, industrial machinery, electronics, and food manufacturing.

Job openings are also available in the areas of agriculture, hospitality, construction, shipbuilding, fisheries and aquaculture, parts and tooling, and aviation.

These employment opportunities were opened to foreign workers last April 1.

Earlier, the DOLE estimated that Filipino workers would get at least 30 percent of the jobs being offered.