Manila: The Philippines is adapting to the changing demographics of its migrant workers in the UAE, according to Manila's new ambassador, as an increasing number of young educated Filipinos seek work abroad.

Around 650,000 of the more than 2 million overseas Filipino workers, whose remittance inflows account for about 9% of their country's GDP, live in the UAE, the second-largest employer of Filipino expats after Saudi Arabia.

The majority of them have traditionally found work in the hospitality and service industries, as well as in households.

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However, the trend is changing as an increasing number of young Filipino professionals look for work abroad, according to Ambassador Alfonso A. Ver, who arrived in Abu Dhabi last month.

The demographics of Filipinos visiting the UAE are changing, and the Philippine government is adapting," he said.

"We note that the demand for medical professionals and nurses is very high, as stated by the UAE side, so this is an area where both sides can collaborate."

According to a 2019 study by EON, a Philippine public relations firm in Dubai, the health sector employs approximately 10% of Filipino workers in the Gulf state.

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Their commitment was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many became frontline workers assisting the UAE's response to the outbreak. The rulers of received state recognition for those who died while on duty.

"Throughout the pandemic, Filipinos from all walks of life continued to work here in the UAE, and those at the forefront of vaccine trials, the doctors and nurses, were recognised for their efforts to combat the virus," Ver said.

"The Filipinos in the UAE are significant not only in number, but also in professionalism, talent, and skill, combined with innate friendliness, which is why they are respected and embraced by the UAE."

The envoy stated that the Philippine government's team in the UAE will look for ways to "leverage the goodwill between Filipinos and the UAE" and promote cooperation between the two countries under his leadership.

Expat Filipinos have played a critical role in the efforts, to the point where Ver refers to them as his "fellow ambassadors."

"The impact of Filipinos living in the UAE opened doors and allowed the embassy to engage meaningfully with the host government," he explained.

"From the time UAE's founding father Sheikh Zayed established this country, Filipino professionals such as engineers, architects and later those in the medical field such as doctors and nurses arrived on UAE shores to help build this nation.

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"To this day, the strong presence of Filipinos in all aspects of UAE life is felt, and I believe that this is an advantage, a leverage that we should continue to build on."