Demand for Filipino workers increases in Beijing, Shanghai as China-Philippines ties improve

With the strengthening of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, Chinese employers are keen on hiring Filipinos.

Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony held in Beijing, China October 20, 2016. Reuters

With the strengthening of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, the Asian giant is now considering hiring Filipino household service workers (HSWs) and plans to offer an attractive salary worth USD 2,000 a month.

The announcement was made by the Department of Labor of Employment (DOLE) who informed Philippine media that Chinese embassy representatives visited the DOLE office to discuss future arrangements to open job opportunities for HSWs.

It was also reported that three of China's booming - Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen - are in need of HSWs.

DOLE Undersecretary Dominador Say told Philippine journalists that a team of Chinese officials is expected to visit the country in next two months to negotiate for the deployment of workers.

According to Say, Chinese employers are interested to hire Filipinos because of their English proficiency. "Our fellow Filipinos if hired will help Chinese parents teach their children English studies because Filipinos are more peaceful compared to other nationalities," Say added, as reported.

New economic opportunities with China started when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is aligning with China and not US.

Duterte also said that he is open to holding joint military exercises with China. However, according to the Department of National Defence, it needs a Visiting Forces Agreement or any form of agreement to allow Chinese soldiers to hold joint military exercises on Philippine soil.

The Philippine government is also eyeing a boost in the tourism industry from the one million Chinese tourists who are expected to visit the Southeast Asian country next year.

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