Filipino baristas seeking jobs abroad

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos who frequent coffee shops may not see their favorite baristas anymore as most of them are seeking greener pastures abroad. Pacita Juan, co-chair of the Philippine Coffee Board, said that the country loses as many as 600 baristas every year to the Middle East and the US. “(Coffee shops in the Philippines) are losing their employees to barista jobs overseas," he told reporter Alex Tinsay in a News on Q report. The report added that baristas here earn over P 8,000 a month, while in Dubai, Qatar, or in the United Kingdom they could easily get P30,000. “That’s better for us," said Jason Pascual, a local barista who is contemplating to work overseas like his cousins. Meanwhile, lawyer Cheley Fiel, an avid coffee buff, said there should have been no reason for coffee shops to be affected by the exodus of baristas overseas. “I don’t think coffee shops will lose their markets in Manila. People from all walks of life patronize coffee shops," Fiel said. In anticipation to the shortage of baristas, the Philippine Coffee Board has initiated massive recruitment and training of applicants. The report said the coffee industry contributes P 21 billion to the economy. - Mark Joseph Ubalde, GMANews.TV