The climate has changed. Economic downturn has filtered through Dubai, it appears though. The figures in the construction sector explain well, but there are still sectors that will bolster optimism in the emirate. Specifically, most of the construction projects have been put on hold while others cancelled. But this does not signal shrinking.
So what is in store for the millions of expatriates? Dubai Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) has started efforts to match displaced OFWs for possible jobs in nearby Qatar while Filipino communities have helped fellow kabayans for subsistence to survive the crises. With the number of affected sectors, more Filipinos are seen to be losing their jobs. Will POLO be able to address all these? Will the Filipino communities continue to provide subsistence when the “WAIT-AND-SEE” industry is yet to be determined?
The on set of the plunging dollar takes us all into a sudden global halt. I am seeing more Filipinos from the bustling emirate to hop in nearby emirates and even in some parts of the GOCC region. If the economic recovery is seen by 2010, what will expatriates do in the sluggish months or even years with the “WAIT-AND-SEE” industry?
Our country has registered OFW s coming home in flock from across the globe in the recent months. India in particular, will welcome home about 20,000 construction workers in March 2009 according to the Indian consulate in Dubai.
How long will the global recession last is worth a billion dollar question waiting for concrete answer. We’ll just wait and see.
