The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said that Filipino health and factory workers are still in demand abroad despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Some nations are now preparing to resume hiring Filipino migrant workers.

POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said that Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain are now reopening their countries for foreign health workers.

“Dumadami po ang bilang ng nangangailangan ng nurses abroad,” Olalia said

South Korea and Taiwan are also planning to hire more factory workers from the Philippines.

“Napakarami pong bansa ang nangangailangan ng factory workers dahil kabilang ito sa sector na ‘di apektado ng pandemya,” Olalia added.

The POEA will try to negotiate with the IATF if the 5,000 yearly cap will be adjusted.

“Tayo po ay magkakaroon ng recommendation sa IATF na baka puwedeng maging flexible yung 5,000 cap,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said some 300,000 OFWs have been repatriated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.