Philippines prepares for return of foreign workers.

This is from mb.com.

This is just an example of what is expected in terms of the return of foreign workers who will loose their overseas jobs due to the recession. The return of OFWs will only exacerbate unemployment in the Philippines itself and cause hardship for many families dependent upon their remittances home.


RDC readies plan for OFWs displaced by economic crisis
By FREDDIE G. LAZAROSAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Region 1 Development Council (RDC) chaired by Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor B. Savellano is preparing a contingency plan to cushion the impact of the global economic crisis on displaced workers.
It was feared that many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) might lose their jobs due to the economic crisis hounding several foreign countries.
Meanwhile, it was announced that the regional executives of national line agencies and leaders of non-government organizations (NGOs) and private sector will meet in a conference set on Feb. 11, 2009 in the social hall of the Saint Louis College in this city.
The participants in the conference will formulate strategies to address the problems caused by the global economic slowdown, loss of jobs and income, and protection of marginal groups.
The prepared programs will be funded with the regular fund of the government agencies, NGOs, private sector and other sources.
Among the strategies listed for discussion during the forum are an economic resiliency program, comprehensive livelihood and emergency employment program, and intensified social protection program.
Leonardo N. Quitos Jr., regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), said all inputs and action plans subjected for each strategy will be presented and will be analyzed during the plenary session of the conference.
"The conference will be an avenue to validate the specific actions, programs, and projects with other stakeholders to include NGOs and the private sector. It will also be a venue to identify additional areas of concern and corresponding intervention and responsible entities," Quitos said.
"The output of the consultative conference will be the "Region 1 Detailed Action Plan on Contingency Measures for the Global Economic Crisis," he said.
Quitos said that expected to be hard hit by the global economic crisis in Region 1 are laid-off Ilocano and Pangasinense OFWs, particularly those who are working in the US under temporary working visas, seafarers in cruise ships, factory workers in South Korea, Taiwan, and Macau, domestic helpers in Singapore, Macau, and Hong Kong, and skilled workers in Japan.