MOU with RP seen as 300,000 new jobs open in South Australia

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:51:00 07/11/2008

MANILA -- The Philippines and the state of South Australiahave started talks to forge a pact aiming to provide a “structured and well-crafted arrangement” for the employment and immigration of Filipinos in the region's bustling industries, a state official said Friday.

Kevin Foley, South Australia Deputy Premier and Trade Minister, said that his state and the Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have agreed to forge a memorandum of understanding (MOU) within 12 months to strengthen ties between the country and one of Australia's most robust trade hubs.

“I had a discussion with Secretary of Labor (Marianito Roque) and we're considering an MOU between the state of South Australia and the government of the Philippines where we would put a structure, a well-crafted arrangement for Filipinos who wish to seek a career in South Australia where there's a growing, dynamic economy,” said Foley, who is on a trade mission in the country.

The official said South Australian officials see “whether Australia's strict immigration requirements can be met through cooperative arrangements around appropriate skills training and mutual recognition of accreditation.”

The prospect of high-level cooperation between Manila and Adelaide may well come at a good time as South Australia would need manpower to fill some 300,000 new jobs expected to be created by the state's bustling mining industry in the coming decade, said Foley.

Some 28 new mining companies, currently at the stage of exploration there, are expected to open in the next 10 years, said Foley, as the state continues to experiene a mining boom.

“Australia will need 300,000 more [people] to provide support for our mining sector. We don't have the potential to fill all those jobs out of Australians, we have to, as we've always done throughout the history of our nation, embrace the world,” said Foley following a luncheon meeting with Philippine business leaders in Makati City Friday.

The Australian Embassy said the Philippines represents South Australia's “six largest source” of imported workers, “many of whom are helping to ease demand for trade skills at a time South Australia is experiencing historic low levels of unemployment.”

A Filipino community of around 5,000 is now based in the South Australian capital city Adelaide, a city of some 1.6 million people.

“My primary objective is to promote and strengthen cooperation between South Australia and the Philippines on labor, employment and human resource development,” said Foley.

The official is expected to return to the Philippines in February with a trade mission of some 20 private sector companies, including education, food, manufacturing and wine firms.