Filipino workers both in the Philippines and abroad can now seek immediate assistance and information that are related to job-hunting such as available job opportunities, latest work advisories, benefits and services, etc. as the Department of Labor and Employment together with Globe Telecom launches a hotline service.

The program started last May 1 as part of the Labor Day Celebration this year. The secretary of DOLE, Marianito Roque and Globe Telecom launched the 3-way Asenso Connect service which will use three communication channels—via the DOLE 2917 Hotline, 2910 SMS facility, and the www.dole2917.com.ph website.

The website serves as one-stop information site on job vacancies available in the Philippines and abroad and news and services offered by the DOLE, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA).

According to Roque, the 3-way Asenso Connect service is part of their agency’s effort to provide assistance to Filipino workers particularly the ones hit by the global financial crisis. The Labor Department and Globe want to help them find new jobs either here in the Philippines or abroad or find an alternative source of livelihood.  

Roque said that the DOLE along with other government agencies such as POEA and OWWA already have existing employment assistance and livelihood programs. What they needed is an effective way to disseminate these services to the workers.

To get assistance from DOLE, POEA or OWWA, workers may call the DOLE 2917 Hotline by dialing 2917 from their Globe or TM cellphones or 908-2917 from their Globe landline phones.

This call service is free of charge nationwide provided that the caller use a Globe or TM cell phone and Globe Landlines. Other cellphone subscribers can also avail of these services but they will be charged with a regular per-minute call rates. Charges applied to caller coming from other network.

Globe subscribers may also text "DOLE HELP" for local jobs and "POEA HELP" for overseas jobs to 2910. They may also text the two agencies to 2910 for questions and comments. Globe subscribers may also register their cell phone numbers in order to receive updates from DOLE on relevant news, job vacancies, holidays, and other updates on services.

For complete information about the DOLE 2917 service, please visit www.dole2917.com.ph.