There are more than 2 million Filipinos working abroad and each one will have a different reason for making the decision of becoming OFWs. But we cannot deny that the most common reason is to seek better opportunities outside our home country. In case you are wondering what are the top countries that Pinoys visit as a priority, we have listed them below.
Also Read: 8 Reasons Why You Should NOT Work as an OFW
It is important that we think hard where we are going to work abroad. Even with skill-based jobs, there are countries where salary and benefits are above-average which entices plenty of Pinoys to find jobs elsewhere. We try to list some of the best countries to work as an OFW.
Top Countries to Work as an OFW
Deciding to work overseas is not an easy task. That is why you have to think and do your own research to see which country would fit best according to your goals as an expat. After all, you are going to adjust to a new environment so you have to learn what are the do’s and dont’s, be aware of the rules, and understand the working conditions and opportunities of your country of work. Here are the common and most popular countries for OFWs:
1. Australia
Due to its great’s climate, comfortable scenery, many leisure activities, and stress-free lifestyle, you can feel at home in Australia. It can be a good start if you want to adjust your lifestyle living in abroad and you want new adventures.
The country is in need of engineers due its solid, service-based economy of mining and agriculture making. Aside from engineers, the country needs chefs, electricians, IT professionals, mechanics, and plumbers.
2. Bahrain
Based on information from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there were around 158,644 Filipinos in Bahrain as of December 2014. This number includes OFWs and their families. Indeed, we say “families,” because quite a number of our kababayans are residing in the Kingdom with their spouses and children. In fact, the Philippine School Bahrain was established in October 1994 to serve the Filipino community. By 2012, the Department of Education (DepEd) accredited school had 900 students in pre-school, elementary, and secondary levels!
When it comes to job hiring, Filipinos are among the most preferred nationalities by most companies and employers. Pinoys in Bahrain commonly work as accountants, construction contractors, domestic workers, graphic designers, engineers, nurses, sales associates, and technicians. There are quire a number of Filipino business and government support staff as well.
3. Canada
Canada is a family-friendly destination and there are leisure activities that you can enjoy. If you want to stay in the country for keeps, you can work full time for one year and the country will offer you permanent residence. As a start, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) released jobs for caregiving and labor.
Yes, there are many people who plan to migrate in Canada so this might be something you may consider if you plan to work as an OFW.
4. Hong Kong
In an article from HSBC Expat Explorer, 86 percent of the emigrants mentioned that Hong Kong is a place can gave them an opportunity to develop or acquire a new skill. For many OFWs, HK is a known country to work as a domestic helper. It is also quite
Hong Kong can give you a chance to develop or acquire a new skill. There are job openings in this country such as: chefs, draftsman, draftsman, drivers, engineers, plant mechanics, welders, and many more.
5. Japan
For several decades now, thousands of Filipinos have sought greener pastures in Japan, which is often called “the land of the rising sun.” As of December 2020, more than 325,000 Filipinos are reported to be working in Japan. Many of them are engineers, mechanics, painters, English language teachers, and healthcare workers.
Notably, the demand for caregivers remains high, with the Japanese government offering free training in caregiving to qualified applicants. The fields of information technology and engineering are also in demand, providing Filipino professionals with great opportunities.
6. Kuwait
As of 2018, there were around 276,000 Filipinos living and working in Kuwait. More than half of them are employed as domestic workers, although many Filipinos are also working there as medical technologists, nurses, physical therapists, and servers. When it comes to employment, the country is known for prioritizing its own citizens over foreign workers. Nonetheless, there are still many job opportunities around for Filipinos and other nationalities.
7. Macau
The city of Macau is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China. It is popularly known as the “Las Vegas of the East,” with numerous resorts and gambling tourism destinations. As of 2016, more than one-fourth of the entire workforce are foreign workers, most of which are working in construction, hotels, and restaurants.
At present, over 190,000 Filipinos are living and working in Macau – mostly as bar attendants, Food & Beverage (F&B) attendants, life guards, security guards, and servers.
8. New Zealand
New Zealand is also on the list because of these things: a comfortable accommodation, a fulfilling environment, a wonderful lifestyle, and a harmonious camaraderie with the locals.
Activities such as outdoor lifestyle and sporting culture can help you to have a better quality of life and you will be more physically active.
9. Oman
As of December 2014, there were 39,384 Filipinos residing in Oman. This number has continued to grow, especially since many OFWs have brought their families to the country. The Philippine School Sultanate of Oman (PSSO) was established to serve the Filipino community, though it is also open to other foreign national students.
Majority of the OFWs in Oman are domestic workers, although there are many Filipinos employed in business, healthcare, and tourism industries. There is quite a number of Filipino doctors, nurses, sales associates, and other professions in the country.
10. Qatar
In 2015, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) predicted over 117,000 demands for labor in the country of Qatar. Due to its development in oil and gas fields, the country is considered as one of the richest country in the world. There are also many expats now who are living and working in Qatar so if you plan to work here, make sure you are aware of your options as an OFW.
11. Saudi Arabia
This country offers contractual benefits, lower cost of living, and a strong economy to the emigrants of this country. There are many domestic workers who apply for jobs as household workers or nannies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Be careful and make sure that you are aware of your rights as a domestic worker so that you don’t fall into prey of human trafficking.
Qualified nurses in the Saudi are needed and also many engineering jobs are available too.
12. Singapore
Singapore is a popular choice among OFWs and gives a sustainable career with a steady economy to the emigrants because it offers security, high wages, job opportunities, and gives high dollar exchange.
Last 2015, jobs like accountants, bank staff, caregivers, IT and software engineers, nurses, and office workers were offered for the foreigners. In 2016, the country offers some jobs for the Filipinos such as chef, customer service representatives, graphic designers, nurses, programmers, waiters, and many more. Here are some top companies to work for in Singapore.
13. South Korea
According to the POEA, there are around 1600 workers needed in South Korea. There are also some vacant jobs like domestic helpers and other skilled workers available for those who are looking for work here. There are a number of Filipinos who are working as a factory worker in South Korea already.
14. Taiwan
Taiwan is known as the Asia’s “hidden experience capital.” The country is also known in job opportunities such as caregivers, domestic helpers, factory workers, machine operators, and production operators.
Don’t worry for the placement fee because some job applicants pay for it and the Taiwanese employers established the work permit for the emigrants.
15. Thailand
Since the late 2000s, many Filipinos have gone to Thailand to work as English language teachers. As of 2010, there were 17,574 Filipinos in the country. Most of them are working as English language teachers, though there are also many Filipinos working in the fields of business, management, architecture, and engineering.
16. United Arab Emirates
If you are into the advancement of career and employment packages which are substantial, the United Arab Emirates or UAE is for you. Most expats have above-average salaries due to the blooming economy of the country. The salary is enough to pay for your monthly bills and some other things due to the high cost of living.
The country offers different jobs for customer representatives, baristas, call center agents, domestic helpers, and IT staff.
17. United Kingdom
Emigrants can involve in the British culture and they can also acquire a new skill which is related in their jobs. The United Kingdom is also popular for the first-time overseas workers.
The country needs engineers, information technology specialists, and marketing professionals. There are some graduates who were deployed in UK like the dentists, health care workers, HRM graduates, and pharmacists.
Summary
There are millions of Filipinos working in almost every country around the world, and many of them are currently based in the countries mentioned above. How about you? Where are you working as an OFW? Let us know in the comments below! Meanwhile, check out these OFW success stories, wherein our fellow kababayans share about the fruits of their labor abroad.