The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said that the licenses of recruitment agencies for overseas Filipino workers were extended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

POEA Chief Bernard Olalia said that the move is to help these agencies affected by the health crisis and since travel and deployment are still limited.

“Bilang tulong, may automatic extension ng licenses, ibig sabihin ‘wag muna namin i-impose ang regulation para makatulong tayo,” Olalia said.

At least 50 recruitment agencies expressed that it will be closing its main offices while 70 recruitment agencies have been closed.

“Isa po sa hardest hit na sektor gawa po ng pandemya ay ang overseas employment. ‘Yung mga nare-receive natin na datos ng mga Philippine recruitment manning agencies natin ay apektado,” he added.

Earlier this year, the government imposed a deployment ban to healthcare workers due to the pandemic. The government then decided to lift the ban but put a cap to 5,000 workers.

OFWs are also among those badly hit by the pandemic. Some 300,000 OFWs have also been repatriated after losing their jobs in other countries. (TDT)