By Analou De Vera

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday said that an initial partnership with the government of Yukon, Canada, was recently signed for the deployment of 2,000 skilled Filipino workers there.

Last month, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III went to Yukon, Canada, to sign a “joint communique” for the deployment of Filipino skilled workers “with an opportunity to bring their families there.”

“The joint communique contains a request for 2,000 skilled workers every year,” said Bello.

The labor department stated that “their counterparts were eager to sign a bilateral agreement to formalize the deployment of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) in Yukon, Canada.” It added that Bello requested the officials of the Canadian territory to “ink the deal in the Philippines.”

The job opportunities which will be opened for Filipinos in Yukon, Canada, include heavy equipment operators, nurses, cooks, chefs, engineers, caregivers, call center agents, and other local job opportunities, with monthly salaries ranging from P80,000 up to P300,000.

The labor department said the applicant must be “fluent in English, has the related job degree, with appropriate training, and physically and mentally fit.”

“Canadians prefer Filipino workers because of the impression of our quality of work and efficiency. They are also conscious about the family bond. Hence, they encourage the workers to bring their family with them in Canada and they will facilitate their entry,” said Bello.

During his visit to Yukon, Bello said that he had a “first-hand encounter” with the Filipinos there who assured him that they are “well protected, and respected without any class distinction.”

“Filipinos there look very prosperous, very happy. I talked to every single one of them and they were all happy and well taken care of,” the labor chief said.

“We heard not a single complaint,” he added.

Bello said that the Canadian territory has a population of around 20,000 people, 3,000 of which are Filipinos.

“So, everywhere you go, you will see and meet Filipinos. They are very welcomed in the community,” he said.