More than 4,000 overseas jobs were made available in celebration of Labor Day at a job fair organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Quezon City.

The DMW said 11 licensed recruitment agencies participated in the job fair, offering a total of 4,700 job orders for skilled positions in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Croatia.

Among the participants were STB-DJL Human Link Inc., Solpia Marine and Ship Management Inc., and Sun Ocean Manning and Ship Management.

“There are 4,700 job orders pertaining to skilled work in different countries... and the recruitment process is legitimate,” the DMW said in a statement,” DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said.

He added that while positions were available, the turnout of applicants meant competition would be tough and advised job seekers to manage their expectations.

“Of course, there is a limit, because we want to accommodate as many as we can. But we also want to, should I say, temper their expectations, because if 4,700 jobs are at stake, and the number of applicants is increasing, it will be highly competitive,” Cacdac said. “But that’s not to say that this is the end for those who will not be able to come here.”

Available job positions span various sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, professional services, and skilled trades. Other destinations included Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Germany, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Macau, the Maldives, Oman, and Qatar.

The DMW said hiring programs under government-to-government agreements with South Korea and Taiwan remain ongoing. Another job fair is scheduled for 21 May.