Why Filipinos Prefer to Work Abroad?
The unstable economic and political situation in the
Philippines is one of the major causes why most educated and highly
skilled Filipinos prefer to work abroad. Filipino workers could not
see any hope from their leaders to achieve prosperity for the country...
Most of our leaders in the Philippines are not serious in dealing
with the country's economic development and growth. They are spending
more time on arguments, debates and opposing each other's proposed
ideas and projects rather than taking action on the current problems
of the country. There is lack of cooperation, understanding, acceptance
and consideration on others’ works and contributions. They are
always complaining rather than working real hard for their country
and for the Filipino people.
The Philippines is such a rich nation, from natural resources to
human resources, but this golden opportunity is not well handled by
most of the Philippine leaders and government officers. They are not
considering the effects of "brain drain" that the country
is facing at this time.
Millions of Filipinos are working outside the Philippines for contractual
jobs and thousands are leaving yearly to look for better opportunities
in other advanced countries. If given the chance, Filipinos abroad
would not go back to their home country anymore but stay in the newly
adoptive land to work and live permanently.
The Second Main Reason is Low Salary - To get better education from
reputable schools in the Philippines is not cheap for an ordinary
Filipino but by the time a worker gets a job in the Philippines, he
does not get paid enough to equal his investment on education. Due
to this, most Filipino skilled workers get jobs abroad where salary
commensurate education, skills, and experience. Sometimes, an OFW
can be paid more if he takes a blue-collar job even if he is a degree
holder. That is why a lot of degree-holder Filipinos work abroad as
maids, sales ladies, construction workers and laborers. Most Filipinos
would work on any job as long as it is decent and high paying.
Poor Benefits - A foreign-based company can give benefits to employees
such as housing, food allowance, medical or health care, dental care,
paid leave, or even educational benefits for children but in Philippines,
it is very rare to be employed and get most of these benefits. Although
local companies in the Philippines can afford to pay their workers,
most of these companies would not invest more or do not bother to
give additional benefits for their workers. Since it is hard to live
in the Philippines without a job, the poor Filipino workers will accept
whatever these companies are offering. It is like putting the workers
in a “take it or leave it” situation which I think is
taking advantage of the workers.
Discrimination is one of the biggest problems as well. It can be
noticed that most advertised jobs on newspapers in the Philippines
require a degree or at least college level of education even for blue-collar
jobs. An applicant must at least be 5 feet tall or higher and those
who are 30 years old and over 30 are denied of the application. It
is also difficult to get a job in the Philippines if you are married,
disabled, not fair complexion and part of a certain group or tribal
race. Some companies think that having beautiful, good-looking and
“sexy” staff would boost their business but I think otherwise,
it is the staff’s attitude and good performance that would make
a business succeed. There is an ongoing bill in the senate to abolish
discrimination practices of employers against job applicants. I hope
it will be passed and approved very soon.
In other countries such as the US and Canada, you are free to get
a job regardless of your age, capacity, married or not married, gay
or lesbian etc. as long that you can perform the job requested. You
can even file complaints if you think that employers have discriminated
against you. In those countries, although you're not a college degree
graduate but you've experienced the job of a degree holder, you can
be qualified for a job. They can accept applicants based on education
and/or working experience. (But in some events, it only applies to
their own people, immigrants were just the ones who suffers discrimination).
Working abroad doesn't always give beneficial returns to every Filipino
Worker. The other article,
"Life as Overseas Filipino / Filipina Workers", is about
the sacrifices and the effects of OFWs being away from their families.
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(Revised November 2004-LH)
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