The construction boom in the Middle Eastern countries of Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates is seen to boost employment opportunities for overseas Filipino workers, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

Citing a report of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said in a statement that a recent joint government-private sector marketing mission to the Middle East disclosed that construction projects have been booming in these countries particularly in Qatar, which is gearing for the Asian Games in December 2006.

The marketing mission led by Undersecretary Danilo Cruz and joined by 42 executives from private overseas recruitment industry assessed the labor market in the Middle East and promoted the employment of OFWs in the region. The delegation also met with Bahrain's labor minister whom, Sto. Tomas said, disclosed that Bahraini companies prefer Filipino workers.

Demand for OFWs in the construction sector will continue, she said, as these countries aim for greater modernization and development, the DOLE statement said.

Qatar, for its part, is seeking to become an international center for sporting events. It is hosting the 15th Asian Games this year and construction of the Asian Games Athlete's Village is ongoing.

In addition, it will also need more ICT workers - about 19,500- in the next three years to support the privatization and expansion of its ICT industry.

Latest deployment statistics show 19, 725 OFWs were deployed to Qatar from January to August last year, making it the fourth biggest destination of OFWs in 2005.*

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