Overseas Filipino Workers to Boost Canada’s Tourism

A frontpage report that appeared in British Columbia’s Globe and Mail newspaper on Thursday said Canada’s $9.8 billion tourism and hospitality sector is worried about the shortage of food service and housekeeping workers.To boost its tourism sector, Canada employers are interested to Filipino wokers.

Canadian employers are getting Filipino workers from Chemistry Consulting and Success Immigration that has put up an office in Cebu City. The agency is said to be recruiting 300 Filipino workers for the 2007-08 season.

The hiring of six Filipino workers who will be working in Wickahninnish Inn this spring is said to be to be the beginning of a long-term plan for foreign worker recruitment. They will stay in the resort’s worker living units.

B.C. and Yukon Hotel Association spokesman Ashley Haslett says Filipino workers will also come to Whistler and the Okanagan this year.

“We hope to bring a number of Filipinos over [to Tofino] so they can establish camaraderie and a system of support.”

Charles McDiarmid

Mr. McDiarmid says efforts will be made to nurture a “community atmosphere” by encouraging Tofino grocers to stock Filipino food items and through creation of a network with other operators employing Filipinos.

The Wickaninnish Inn is paying Chemistry Consulting and Success Immigration $2,500 per worker: $500 per worker payable at the beginning of recruitment agreement; $1,000 per worker payable on the date of issuance of the work visa; $1,000 per worker payable on the date the worker arrives in Canada. Expenses include return airfare of up to $2,000; local health-care expenses of $54 per month per worker; and a visa fee of $150. Some of the expenses Filipinos pay include a $55 administration fee to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency; medical check-up fees; costs for a criminal check through the National Bureau of Investigation and, if they want to drive while in Canada, the costs for an international driver’s licence. They will be responsible for their living costs while in Canada.

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