Construction industry boom gives Pinoys jobs in Lao PDR —DMW chief

VIENTIANE - Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said infrastructure development, particularly the construction sector, has been booming in Lao PDR. 

According to Cacdac, this helps Filipinos find employment in the foreign country. 

''Dati kasi, parang market siya for teachers... but now nakikita natin 'yung sa construction nga, the professional sector medyo diverse pero ngayon nakikita natin 'yung engineers related to construction works so tama nga na baka 'yung infrastructure development dito ay ganon na lamang talaga kaunlad, maunlad...'' Cacdac said in an interview. 

(Before, it was a market for teachers, but now we're seeing the construction growth.  The professional sector is diverse.  Now we see engineers related to construction works, so we can say that the infrastructure development here is progressing.)

Government data showed that while the largest cohort of Filipino workers in Laos is composed of teachers, there is the Whessoe, an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) subcontractor for the Luang Prabang Hydropower Project Site that employs the highest number of Filipinos in Lao PDR, which is 236 in total.

The hospitality industry is also improving in Laos, with hotels such as Crowne Plaza Hotel, Laotel, Grand Hotel Vientiane, and Souphattra, which are all employing Filipinos. 

Amid this growing market, Cacdac said the DMW is partnering with other government agencies and the Philippine Embassy in Lao PDR to address illegal recruitment. 

To recall, a total of 125 Filipinos who fell victim to illegal cyber scam centers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) in Lao PDR have been repatriated last August.

Philippine Ambassador to Laos Deena Joy Amatong has since encouraged Filipinos to cooperate with authorities upon their return to the Philippines to prevent illegal recruitment, human trafficking, and undocumented work.—LDF, GMA Integrated News