Bicol University College of Business, Economics, and Management Daraga, Albay September 2011

A Short Document about Overseas Filipino Workers

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Coarse Bachelor of Arts in Economics

by

Ronald Onguda, Jollan Replan, Kaevin Mangampo,

and

Michael Samorin
AB Economics I-A

to

Mrs. Edna Mata

Professor

Contents

 Introduction  Situations confronting OFWs

                      Challenges Problems Salaries Location Threats Benefits For average workers For professionals Effects to Children Effects to the Country Saudi Arabia Qatar Iraq Kuwait Egypt Libya Nigeria China Hong Kong Spain Canada United States

ii 1
1 1 2 2 2 3

 Reasons why Filipinos go Abroad

3
3 3 4 4

 Life of OFWs by Country

4
4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6

 Tables

Introduction
Overseas Filipino Workers illuminate a conceptualized framework of initiating assertiveness, determination, courage as well as heroism. Establish a vigorous degree of flexibility, efficiency, effective sovereignty of constituents dominant in the republic, observing as manpower resource, in the service of nations worldwide. Redirect themselves to attain financial, economical transformation necessary in constructing a financially capable family, achieve growth and development of the economy prior to the productivity of the country. The immeasurable contributions of workers confederacy, in realizing visions, bound to professionals, skilled workers over domestic helpers summarizes how they dedicatedly function firmly and aggregately vital. The world witnesses the sacrifices of these heroes of different interests and specializations yet the world offers them with saturated discrimination, mortification, and abuses. Fathom the unfathomable, border limits of inferiority, or even bisect lives! These are real situation of struggle wherein OFW encounters. It is disgusting to realize that your fellow countrymen suffer to be able to earn some alms their lords and ladies might mercifully give. When all the aviation processes is ready welcome aboard! Enjoy an adventure that lasts eternally, undergo the road less travelled by, not knowing what kind of world is waiting, what form of hospitality their foreign masters would offer. It all start with a dreamer to dream, live, fight, exemplify, and to realize his aspiration. However, the presence of threats, as well as hindrances, might trigger his fire and it ends up with a choice to continue dreaming or just wake up and forget all of those nightmares.

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Overseas Filipino Workers are the living testimony on why his fellow countrymen should keep the burning fire alive, guided with their sacrifices and instructed with their sufferings they must hold on no matter it is neither painful nor death-defying effort exerted only to live! The dignity, integrity as well as the nobility of these heroes emerges as their aspirations were settled to be realized. These are the faces of the modern world indicating supremacy in the field of Labour force. Humility precedes Success, even life is the primary ace just to earn profits- they will sacrifice !!!

MY OFW MY HERO !!!

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Situations confronting OFWs

Challenges  Hardships and sacrifices to sustain the financial needs of their families.  Great despair and lonesomeness of a solitary life in a foreign land  Temperance just to be in touch with the line.  Often times, blinded by money offering no matter if it is illegal. Others are forced to be drug couriers despite the dangers.  Shadowed and hindered by racial and sexual discrimination.  The greatest challenge of all to be disconnected with families and loved ones.

Problems  The different atmosphere of hospitality, social intercourse, as well as the evolving responses of acceptance from their bosses. Some lords, ladies discriminate, degrade, belittle or even bisect the struggling lives of these workers only because of an inevitable mistake.  Sufferings under slavery, sexual harassment, maltreatment, brutality, and other inhuman activities. Some OFWs are forced to sell their own flesh and do immoral acts for money.  Getting involved in illegal syndicates that offer high payments. Drug syndicates transform ordinary OFWs to drug couriers, pushers, or even as identified users. Generally this is regarded as drug trafficking.  Human trafficking, the illegal trade of OFWs for forced labour or sexual exploitation.  Sacrificing almost everything just to cope up with the terms and condition imposed by their tyrannical bosses of which they cannot resist to once abide.

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Salaries  Salaries depends upon the exchange of currency, each desired, target contain.  Insufficient representation of income statements, over salaries among their bosses.  Salaries are being hoarder, monopolized, hindered as well as captured by their tyrannical bosses. Location  Security from criminals, terrorists and other dangerous threats.  Access for necessary and prime commodities to ensure a healthy body in keeping up with the job. OFWs must live and work in places with many retail stores.  Clean and sanitized environment in order to avoid diseases that may cost their job or even their lives.  Strong signal or connection for phones and internet to communicate with family and loved ones. This is also important in contacting the Philippine embassy for help.  Close distance from the Philippine embassy in case of emergency. Threats      Abusive and tyrannical nature of their foreign masters. Any type of discrimination against Filipinos. Wars and conflicts between countries. Terrorist attacks that may occur anytime and everywhere. Instability of the country which may lead to riots and revolutions that would greatly threaten the lives of OFWs. This is the current situation confronted by OFWs in the Middle East.  Ideology and form of government of a foreign country which is different from ours. It is important to note that some countries restrict freedom of expression, religion, and enterprise.  Strange climate which is new to Filipinos, such as winter.  Desperation and homesickness of OFWs that may affect their state of mind and even lead to suicide.

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Benefits  Ability to earn more money in working in other countries because they provide greater salaries. A average nurses salary in US is almost equal to a professional doctors salary in the Philippines.  Ability to rise from obscurity by working hard and sacrificing almost everything. There are many stories of OFWs who ends up being rich and famous.  Ability to start a new life after suffering ignominies and misfortunes at home.  Jobs and services that the Philippines could not offer.  Greater opportunities to start a career.  Socialised with new people, either foreigners or other OFWs, as a new family.

Reasons why Filipinos go Abroad

For average workers, such as domestic helpers  Poverty and inadequacy  Low salaries of workers in the country and high prices of commodities  Belief that their standard of living will improve and prosper  Many available jobs in other countries  High unemployment rate in the country  The government cannot guarantee them a job to sustain their needs For professionals, such as engineers and doctors  Better profits  Easier to find work in other countries  To afford the wants of their inspiring family  Equipment and technology unavailable in the Philippines  Working experiences that would gear them to be a better employee

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Effects to Children  Curiousness surrounds the totality of the children leading to the intake of drugs, enter fraternities, or even destroy lives!  Lack of moral support leading to failing marks of the children. Effects to the Country  Remittances returned by OFWs boast our countrys economy.  May decreased the unemployment rate of Filipinos  Less population and manpower in the country  May result to brain drain (depletion or loss of skilled workers)

Life of OFWs by Country

Saudi Arabia. To some OFWs, Saudi Arabia is a place for golden opportunities but to others it is a living hell because of many reported cases of sexual abuse, maltreatment, and unpaid salaries.1 There are also many Filipinos transported illegally to the country and left stranded without job.2 Their lives are trapped forever in a strange foreign land unable to go home. Many abused OFWs may have been saved but the horrible memories would not go easily. In addition, Saudi Arabia is also threatened by terrorist attacks and by revolutions like those of other Arab countries that may affect the lives of OFWs. Qatar. Large numbers of Filipinos live and work in the small country of Qatar. Many OFWs easily find work in Qatar because of the quality service they provide for their boss. For instance, Filipino construction workers contributed greatly for the building of the New Doha International Airport.3 Iraq. Some OFWs still work in Iraq despite the dangers they would faced there. Insurgence and terrorist attacks threatened their lives in the country which had been a battlefield since 1980. Most of them work under the protection of US Military bases.

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Kuwait. OFWs lives in Kuwait had been troubled by the Iraqi invasion in 2003. They abandoned their jobs and businesses to save their lives. It is hard for them to abandon what they had work for, but for them life is more precious than money. I think many OFWs returned after the end of the war, eager to begin a new life in Kuwait. Egypt. The instability of Egypt threatened the jobs and lives of many OFWs. Life in this country had been dangerous because of frequent revolts since the Egyptian Revolution (2011). Fortunately, there are still no OFWs reportedly hurt or killed during violent riots.4 However, they had to choose either to stay for the job or return to the Philippines for safety. Libya. Like in Egypt, OFWs in Libya had feared for their lives because of the revolt against the Libyan government. While Filipinos fear for their lives, they were also struck with a dilemma on how to regain the job they had loss in Libya. Many of them were able to flee with the help of the Philippine government and cooperation of international organizations. After the fall of the late Libyan regime, I believe that the life of OFWs in Libya is slowly returning to normal. Nigeria. OFWs struggle to work in Nigeria because of the high salaries they earn there. However, hostage taking of foreigners, including Filipinos, is frequent in this tribal nation. The lives of OFWs are also threatened by violent local activists.5 Moreover, some Filipinos had been involved in stealing oil in Nigeria.6 China. Though with many restrictions, OFWs still struggle to work in Communist China. Some of them get involved with illegal drug organizations that used them to do their dirty jobs. Last February 2011, 3 Filipinos had been put to death because of drug smuggling.7 This tragedy must serve as a warning to other OFWs to be not involved with illegal organizations. Hong Kong. OFWs had hard time finding work in Hong Kong because a work visa requires higher degree of education. However, they can earn much more salary on their jobs here than those at home. I think the

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outcome of the Manila Hostage Crisis (which took the lives of Hong Kong nationals) had tremendous negative impact on the lives of the OFWs in Hong Kong. Spain. Many OFWs are welcomed with jobs in Spain despite its economic crisis. They work and live in the magnificent cities of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. At the same time, Filipinos enjoy great amount of freedom in Spain and there were even plans to grant them suffrage in local elections.8 I think Filipinos and Spaniards could live peacefully together because of their linked cultural heritage. Canada. OFWs, especially domestic helpers, loved to work and live in Canada. The countrys laws protect foreigners, like Filipinos, from abusive bosses and illegal recruiters. Canadians have noted Filipinos as gentle and caring, and Filipinos on the other hand noted their Canadian bosses as kind and hospitable. Some OFWs lived with their families and loved ones in Canada, making job much happier. United States. OFWs are well known to be hard working and responsible individuals in the United States of America.9 The country gives them good opportunities to raise their family from poverty. OFWs enjoy freedom and security, as well as high salaries from their jobs. However, these salaries may reduce because of an economic crisis the US faces. OFWs are may also be frightened of terrorist attacks like those of the World Trade Centre.
References: 1. Leonard, John (2008-07-03). "OFW rights violation worsens under the Arroyo administration". Filipino OFWs Qatar. 2. Makilan, Aubrey S. C. (2008-03-01). "191 OFWs Still Stranded in Jeddah, Says Migrante-Saudi". Bulatlat News. 3. "Filipino workers get excellent grade in Qatar". balita.ph. 2008-12-14. 4. DFA: No Pinoy hurt in Egypt protest violence. Gmanews.tv. 2011- 09-15 5. Caber, Michael (5 May 2007), "Kidnappers, officials meet on hostages in Nigeria", Manila Standard Today, retrieved 2008-10-10. 6. "Nigeria parades Filipinos arrested over stolen oil", the Inquirer (Manila), 5 June 2007, retrieved 2008-10-10. 7. 3 convicted OFWs in China brought to execution chambers .Gmanews.tv. 201103-31. 8. OFWs still welcome in Spain. globalnation.inquirer.net. 2009-03-05 9. The Working Pinoy!.theworkingpinoy.com.2011.09.17.

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Tables
The following tables only include those from 2005 to 2009. Disclaimer: The tables are copied from the 2009 Overseas Employment Statistics of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. All copyright contents belong to its respective copyright owners.

Number of Deployed OFWs by Region Region Middle East* Asia Europe Americas Africa 2005 394,419 259,209 52,146 14,886 9,103 2006 462,545 222,940 59,313 21,976 9,450 2007 487,878 218,983 45,613 28,019 13,126 2008 631,825 219,598 51,795 31,916 16,434 2009 669,042 260,995 47,409 31,146 18,967

*Middle East includes the North African nations of Egypt and Libya.

Number of Deployed OFWs by Top Ten Destinations Country Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Hong Kong Qatar Singapore Kuwait Taiwan Italy Canada Bahrain 2005 194,350 82,039 98, 693 31,421 28,152 40,306 46,737 21,267 3,629 9,968 2006 223,459 99,212 96,929 45,795 28,369 47,917 39,025 25,413 6,468 11,737 2007 238,419 120,657 59,169 56,277 49,231 37,080 37,136 17,855 12,380 9,898 2008 275,933 193,810 78,345 84,342 41,678 38,903 38,546 22,623 17,399 13,079 2009 291,419 196,815 100,142 89,290 54,421 45,900 33,751 23,159 17,344 15,001

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Number of Deployed OFWs by Major Occupational Category Major Occupational Group Service Workers Production Workers Clerical Workers Sales Workers Agricultural Workers Administrative and Managerial Workers Professional, Technical, Medical and related Workers Others 2005 133,907 74,802 5,538 4,261 350 490 63,941 2006 144,321 103,594 7,912 5,517 807 817 41,258 2007 107,135 121,715 13,662 7,942 952 1,139 43,225 2008 123,332 132,295 18,101 11,525 1,354 1,516 49,644 2009 138,222 117,604 15,403 8,348 1,349 1,290 47,886

996

3,906

10,613

494

1,645

Number of Deployed Household Service Workers by Top Ten Destinations Country Hong Kong Kuwait United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Qatar Italy Cyrus Singapore Oman Bahrain 2005 17,514 19,702 9,113 9,227 4,998 68 982 2,424 1,419 763 2006 19,532 19,097 11,844 11,898 6,524 573 1,178 3,162 2,068 1,343 2007 22,127 4,806 3,189 2,581 1,912 4,951 1,763 1,568 719 413 2008 18,286 8,092 6,403 3,079 4,682 2,839 1,218 1,244 944 558 2009 24,998 14,087 10,558 6,954 6,376 1,793 1,409 1,405 1,098 1,095

Number of Deployed Nurses by Top Ten Destinations Country Saudi Arabia Singapore United Arab Emirates Kuwait Canada Libya United States United Kingdom Qatar Taiwan 2005 4,886 149 703 193 21 `23 229 546 133 357 2006 5,753 86 796 354 7 158 202 145 141 273 2007 6,633 276 616 393 19 66 186 38 214 174 2008 8,848 667 435 458 527 104 649 28 245 231 2009 9,965 745 572 423 346 276 242 165 133 202

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Number of Deployed Teachers by Top Ten Destinations Country United States Saudi Arabia Libya United Arab Emirates Bahrain China Qatar Singapore Indonesia 2005 483 47 21 31 120 6 3 2006 521 99 1 18 46 46 21 2 18 2007 971 143 9 41 65 54 45 2 44 2008 865 183 51 76 87 75 68 10 45 2009 255 188 110 109 97 62 59 42 40

Number of Deployed Caregivers by Top Ten Destinations Country Taiwan Canada Israel Saudi Arabia Italy Kuwait Spain Cyprus Qatar Bermuda 2005 11,604 753 2,535 413 6 47 1 6 2 2006 8,410 1,992 2,512 3 74 78 42 7 6 2007 6,346 4,170 2,993 27 3 170 49 54 2 2008 6,251 1,853 1,369 320 46 64 70 30 3 14 2009 5,942 1,406 1,219 466 38 35 28 18 18 14

Remittances of Overseas Filipinos (in Thousand US dollars) Region Americas Europe Middle East* Asia Africa Others Total 2005 6,605,231 1,433,933 1,417,491 1,172,373 4,517 55,460 10,689,005 2006 7,198,212 2,061,067 1,909,208 1,496,120 10,272 86,429 12,761,308 2007 8,244,344 2,351,704 2,172,417 1,543,173 16,027 13,263 14,449, 928 2008 9,213,372 2,658,726 2,502,639 1,883,996 17,746 150,375 16,426,854 2009 9,307,781 3,061,625 2,665,031 2,078,241 22,282 213,092 17,348,052

*Middle East includes the North African nations of Egypt and Libya.

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