Pinoy Middle East heavy machinery expats causing domestic brain drain
The Philippines is facing a shortage of heavy equipment operators as workers leave for higher pay in regions such as the Middle East. According to the Philippines Department of Labour and Employment, the country lost nearly 5,000 operators between 2000 and 2009. The figure equates to almost a third of the certified 14,000 operators educated […]
The Middle East accounts for the majority of Philippines heavy machinery expats
The Philippines is facing a shortage of heavy equipment operators as workers leave for higher pay in regions such as the Middle East.
According to the Philippines Department of Labour and Employment, the country lost nearly 5,000 operators between 2000 and 2009. The figure equates to almost a third of the certified 14,000 operators educated in the country.
Statistics by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reveal that 3,134 rough terrain crane, truck mountain crane, and tower cranes operators have been deployed to Saudi Arabia, 315 to Qatar and a further 117 to the UAE.
A trend report by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), stated: “Middle Eastern countries emerged as the preferred choice of skilled workers due to the increased activities in the construction industry.”
Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said her labour and employment department is working on an intensified promotion in the area to reverse the “brain drain” of talent.
TESDA has unveiled a programme to raise the number of heavy equipment trainees on its courses which are estimated to cost $2,300 to attend.
