Metro Manila – Many applicants from the different provinces of the Philippines thronged to the main office of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) last Monday (October 06, 2008) to try their luck in Canada. The applicants went to POEA after they heard it from the news that Canada needs thousands of foreign workers.
The excited applicants from the different walks of life – holding envelop stuffed with important papers – filled the POEA premises right after the guard opened the gate at 6:00 am. Some of the applicants who comes from the provinces arrived at the POEA central office 3:00-4:00 early in the morning.
Outside of the POEA building stands two columns of bulletin boards where job vacancies for Canada are posted. The applicants or “future seekers” wrote down all the information that would match their preferred position and the recruitment agencies licensed by the POEA and recognized by the Canadian employers.
The Canada job opportunities had begun years ago and the hope of many Filipinos to work and live in Canada is just starting. Last Monday’s large number of applicants only shows that many are seeking greener pasture in Canada. The reason behind is to have a decent work, a secured future and to experience the “Canadian Dream.”