Mandaluyong city: Thousands of Filipino workers flocked to the one-day overseas job fair organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Mandaluyong City, with lines stretching outside SM Megamall, as hopeful applicants sought opportunities to work in Finland.
According to Philippines News Agency, DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay mentioned that only pre-registered applicants were admitted inside the venue. However, a drop-off system was provided for walk-ins due to the overwhelming number of attendees. Bay highlighted the availability of 800 job vacancies in sectors such as manufacturing, production, and factory setups. She also noted that while the job fair lasted just one day, six recruitment agencies participated, and a total of nineteen agencies are actively deploying workers to Finland. Job seekers were encouraged to visit the websites of these agencies for more opportunities.
One of the companies present at the fair, Bondata, is actively seeking skilled Filipino workers for roles in industrial technology in Finland. Rebekka Kiljunen, Partnership Director at Bondata, expressed excitement about their recruitment efforts in the Philippines, where they have been operating for three years and have already hired hundreds of Filipinos. Kiljunen emphasized the demand for CNC machinists, concrete workers, and welders, with welding being a particularly urgent need. Successful candidates would be offered an initial one-year contract, with prospects for renewal.
Leilani Macaranas of IPAMS, Bondata's partner recruitment agency, advised applicants to prepare concise resum©s that highlight relevant experience and certifications. She also reminded them to have essential documents ready, such as passports, National Bureau of Investigation clearances, and educational credentials. Macaranas assured that deploying to Finland typically takes three to four months, provided applicants are medically fit, and emphasized that there are no placement, processing, or salary deduction fees involved.
Among the eager attendees was 35-year-old Melanie Estrella Paras from Pangasinan, who traveled by bus at 1 a.m. to attend the fair. She expressed her desire to work abroad to support her family, noting the difficulty of finding jobs locally. Another applicant, Arnel Romero, shared his nervousness about applying for an overseas job for the first time but conveyed confidence as he had prepared all necessary documents. Romero was motivated by the opportunity to help his family and the prospect of bringing them to Finland.
Undersecretary Bay cautioned job seekers against illegal recruiters, stressing the importance of verifying whether an agency is licensed and has accredited job orders. She advised those interested in overseas employment to always check and verify through the DMW website.
