Thousands of job seekers, including repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East, flocked to a Labor Day job fair organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday, May 1, offering renewed employment opportunities amid ongoing global uncertainties.
Held at Robinsons Galleria Ortigas along the boundary of Mandaluyong and Quezon City, the “Job Fair for Overseas Employment” drew at least 2,000 pre-registered applicants, with more walk-in participants lining up throughout the day.
According to DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, the event featured over 3,400 overseas job vacancies across the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia, aimed at providing alternative employment options for OFWs affected by instability in the Middle East.
Tutay noted that many returning workers continue to experience psychological strain after being caught in recent regional conflicts
“Alam naman po natin na karamihan po sa rason ng ating mga manggagawa na na-repatriate dito ay yung pangamba nila ay yung naging sitwasyon sa Middle East noong mga nakaraang dalawang buwan, and there are uncertainties, and karamihan din po sa kanila ay mentally hindi parin po ganoon ka stable," she said
The job openings span multiple industries, including engineering and construction, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, finance, and seafaring, offered by at least 12 licensed recruitment and manning agencies.
Government officials emphasized that all job vacancies presented at the fair are legitimate and urged applicants to remain vigilant against illegal recruitment and online scams. Authorities encouraged job seekers to verify opportunities through official DMW channels.
In addition to employment matching, participating government agencies—including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), PhilHealth, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)—provided reintegration services, skills training, and livelihood assistance under the National Reintegration Network.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader Labor Day program, which promotes safe, legal, and sustainable employment pathways for Filipino workers both locally and abroad.
