ALMOST 3,000 Filipinos have lost their jobs in Taiwan, according to the Manila and Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.  

The number is almost triple of the 1,263 workers laid off from 18 companies as of December 12.

"There are now nearly 3,000 workers who have been relieved from 49 companies," said MECO representative Antonio Basilio.

Most of the retrenched Filipino workers are those employed in factories, which main businesses are involved in exporting and has the United States and Europe as major buyers.

Basilio also confirmed the previous claims of several migrant groups that some 60,000 OFWs are also in danger of losing their jobs as Taiwan continues to suffer the effects of the global crisis.

"Layoffs are affecting not just Filipino workers but also other foreign nationals, including Vietnamese, Indonesians, Thais and Indian nationals," Basilio said.

Layoffs are expected to peak in the first quarter of 2009 but is already beginning this early, he said.

Based on MECO records, there are about 98,000 residing and working in Taiwan.  

Basilio, however, said there remains a demand in the construction and services sectors, which he said could be the fallback of laid-off OFWs, although the demand may pale compared to the manufacturing industry.