By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
Aside from engineers and architects, the demand for more Filipino healthcare providers and hotel staff is expected to increase every year in Qatar.
Philippine labour attaché Leopoldo De Jesus told Gulf Times that the on-going expansion of various hospitals (private and government-owned), means that it will require more personnel like doctors, nurses, therapists, medical technologists and other medical support staff.
De Jesus said he received reports that many families in Qatar, both nationals and expatriates, are looking for more private nurses and professional therapists.
“The demand for home care services has been increasing in the past years and we have many Kababayans (compatriots) who are qualified for these kinds of jobs,” he said.
De Jesus disclosed that thousands of Filipinos, especially those who have the experience in hospitality, secretarial jobs, electrical, interior designing, and human resources jobs, want to work in Qatar.
Earlier reports showed that Qatar plans to build 45,000 additional hotel rooms to meet the FIFA 2022 room capacity requirement of 60,000. Currently, more than 20 hotels are being constructed in different districts across the country.
He estimates that there has been a 10% increase in the number of Filipino healthcare providers who arrive in Qatar every year.
Qatar hires Filipino labourers, masons and other construction-related workers and De Jesus said the Philippines wants to increase the number of skilled and professional overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The labour attaché noted that the country is producing many graduates who can meet the requirements set by companies in Qatar and in other Middle East countries.
In connection with this, the Philippine embassy has been urging various groups to continue holding review sessions for aspiring accountants, architects and engineers.
The Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) regularly sends representatives and officials to Qatar to hold board examinations.
Organisations like the United Architects of the Philippines-Qatar, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Philippine Institute of Civic Engineers and the Philippine Association of Safety Engineers conduct regular review sessions for those who want to take the board examinations in Qatar.
Some groups hold weekly seminars to empower many underprivileged Filipinos to upgrade their skills through seminar-workshops, trainings and taking up short-term courses.
De Jesus said a large percentage of the 250,000 OFWs in Qatar are professionals but he did not give any figures, but there are 45,000 work as housemaids.
De Jesus ... expecting more compatriots
