Austria jobs fair offers over 800 job openings

After nine years of teaching in a public school in Batangas, Rosalyn Garcia is now seeking a new path abroad. Despite her passion for education, she admits that her salary is insufficient to support her growing family.

Garcia was among hundreds of job seekers who attended the Philippines-Austria Jobs Fair held at a mall in Quezon City. The event offered over 800 active job orders in Austria across various industries.

“Huwag na magpaka-ipokrita, diba. Para sa pamilya, para magkaroon tayo ng mas better future, second na yung personal at professional growth,” she said.

(“Let’s not be hypocrites. This is for our family, so we can have a better future. Personal and professional growth comes second.”)

The job fair featured licensed and authorized private recruitment agencies offering positions in architecture, construction, manufacturing, healthcare and wellness, household service, culinary, and hospitality sectors.

Thanks to a memorandum of understanding between the Philippines and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Labor and Economy, the recruitment process is guaranteed to be safe, ethical, and transparent. Filipino workers will receive the same minimum wage and benefits as Austrian nationals.

Austria’s ambassador to the Philippines emphasized the country’s support for migrant workers:

“[I]n Austria, once you’re established, you can bring your kids with you. We will look after you with a good health system that you are a mandatory part of,” said Ambassador Johann Brieger.

More opportunities on the horizon

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is also exploring government-to-government (G2G) labor agreements with Hungary, Italy, and New Zealand.

“Magkakaroon tayo ng discussions and agreement with Hungary… manufacturing, hospitality, office work—pwede pang pag-usapan yung iba pang sectors,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac.

(“We will have discussions and agreements with Hungary… manufacturing, hospitality, office work—other sectors can also be explored.”)

He added, “Dumating din sa amin ang New Zealand Ambassador [The New Zealand Ambassador also approached us] so we’re also working out something with New Zealand… in Europe, we are in continuing discussions with countries like Italy.”

Protecting job seekers

Applicants at the jobs fair also attended a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to learn about their rights and the rules and regulations in Austria and other countries. The DMW stressed the importance of avoiding illegal recruiters.

The DMW reminds the public to apply only through legitimate recruitment agencies listed on their official website.

For G2G applications, job seekers should apply directly through the DMW—no placement fees required. — BM, GMA Integrated News