The article written by Aries Rufo and posted on Newsbreak last Thursday, 25 September 2008 Talks about the implications of OFW workers leaving the countries, how "various studies have shown that the social costs of labor migration outweigh the economic benefits, with family relationships and dynamics as the first casualty" according United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef)-New York’s deputy director for programs Vanessa Tobin. She points out that "Migration should be, first and foremost, be just one of the options. Therefore, government should be able to create more jobs with decent wages."
In the article it points out that affected most are the children of these OFW workers. The Statistic of 6 million is overwhelming compared to that of Indonesia's one million and Thailand's half a million. According to Tobin the absence of the parents of these children creates “displacement, disruptions and changes in care-giving arrangement.” Moreover she points out that "Young children view migration as a form of “abandonment,” while for adolescents, the acceptance could either be “receptive or resentful.”
One of the very important points she made in he notion was that contrary to popular notions or beliefs Tobin cited studies where it was found that “there is not much improvement in the lives of the families, the money being sent is just enough or sometimes hardly meet the demands and needs of the families left behind.” In addition Tobin stresses “They are also vulnerable to economic shocks, especially related to the country’s economic and political situation.” She points out that children with their mothers working overseas tend to "“tend to be more angry, confused, pathetic and more afraid than other children," and that "the feeling of neglect and abandonment is most felt by the eldest daughter who assumes the mother’s role in the family as the father struggles to take the mother’s role."
Source: http://newsbreak.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5382&Itemid=88889066
Clearly there is a problem present here which a lot us fail to see. We see in the news everyday how the market has affected the amount of money being remitted to the Philippines, or the fact the amount of Remittances from OFW's are affecting the Philippine Economy greatly and strengthening the peso. What we fail to see however is the negative implications this has on the families of these workers. It has been noted by various economist in the Philippines we should not see the Remittances made by OFW's a benefit to the country, but rather a problem the country is facing. This is because this are temporary, no country should function on the benefit of income from overseas remittances but rather from internal sources of income such as from taxes which are far more "permanent" and considerable rather than that of Remittances made by OFW workers.
This article reminds me of the controversy about how the balikabayan box has become a symbolism for various circumstances in the Philippines one being Poverty. "Balikbayan box is not just a simple container of goodies from abroad but a frightening reminder that Filipinos have to go abroad to find work so that they and their families could survive hard times in the Philippines..." - Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Though it may seem painful to hear, it just goes to show that evidently the truth hurts. Until now and probably for the next few decades Balikabayan Boxes will continues to serve as a reminder of the hope of many Filipinos that migration is the only way to improve their economic condition and that of their families.
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11 comments:
It is really sad to hear such crisis. One thing that I really hate about people working abroad is that their child or babies are left behind to some people they don’t even know. I watched something about what you said in your article that the family is so poor that they don’t have any choice but to go to other countries and shed their blood there instead of working here and be with their family. In the movie it was really showed that a doctor here in the Philippines is just a nurse or worse a helper in the US. It is very hard for him because studying for a very long time just to be a doctor and then to find out that when you go and find a job in other countries you are just qualified to be a helper. He has a baby that he needs to leave just so they can eat thrice a day.
I agree with your sentiments blogger. Actually one of the problems with this migration apart from leaving their children is the work they get. There is this term they use known as “brain drain.” And this happens both ways directly and indirectly if you think about. It happens in the Philippines because everyday we lose someone with a brain to foreign land because his or her talent isn’t paid enough in the Philippines. And happens to the person because his talent and knowledge is not used in the profession he was accepted in. And as they say practice makes perfect, and since he does not practice his craft and his skill whatever it may be sooner or later he looses his talent.
I remembered the movie 'ANAK' or something like that. In the movie, the mother went to the states to be a domestic helper(I'm not sure) leaving her children in the hands of whomever. After years of staying abroad, she wasn't able to see her kids grow. Her kids on the other hand have grown into something she didn't expect. The eldest daughter didn't understand why her mother had to leave them for money blah blah and so she became a rebel---to counter the longing she had for her mother.
That's why we always we hear the statement "Mahirap ang buhay sa states" or wherever. Being an OFW involves a lot of risks. First, they are introduced to a new place, new people, and new culture. second, they have to endure the pain of not seeing their family. third, the will not be able to monitor the growth of their own sons and daughters. It creates a GAP between the parent and the children.
I also agree that remittances have an immediate effect on our economy. It betters the Philippine economy. BUT we should realize that having OFW's is not a positive sign. It means that our country cannot provide sufficient jobs for our fellow Filipinos. that's why OFWs are pressured to look for other jobs outside the borders of our country.
i agree with what you all said. There are a lot of negative effects that arises from these migration of OFW. First, because the parents are not here, the kids don't have any guidance from elders, and in turn their lives are in chaos. They turn to drugs and such in worst case scenario.
Moreover, the reason why there are a lot of failed marraiges here in our country is because husbands and wives rarely see each other anymore. They usually have other men and women in their lives abroad which leads to a separation. Aside from that, let's all have some pity for OFW's since there are a lot of sexual harrassment cases abroad.
Although we are all happy that the Peso is gaining strength because of the OFW remittances, we should also learn how to treasure them or make some projects that will ensure a better future for them once they come back in our country.
I agree with all of you, its really sad the way OFWs have to leave their family behind. But on the other hand it is very noble of them to sacrifice time with their family. But they really have no choice, being able to provide for their families and give them good food, proper education and a good home would outweigh loneliness and homesickness.
But that's not the worse case, there are many stories in the news now of OFWs being abused in the country they work for, that's just sad, because they work so hard and they deserve better treatment.
Hindi ko kokontrahin ang mga nauna nang nagbigay ng kanilang mga kumento. Totoo, hindi maipagkakailang maganda at malaki ang naidudulot ng mga sinasahod ng mga OFWs sa ating ekonomiya. Subalit, kung titignang mabuti, mas malaki at mas karumaldumal ang mga pinapahiwatig ng pagtatrabahong ito ng mga Pilipino sa lahat – sa pag-alis ng mga Pilipino at sa pagtatrabaho ng mga ito sa ibang bansa, hindi lamang ang kanilang bansa ang apektado kundi pati ang kanilang pamilya at ang kanilang sarili. Kung gayon, sa puntong ito, wag na natin pag-ukulan ng pansin ang mga mabubuting naidudulot ng pagtatrabaho ng mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa at bigyang pansin na lamang ang mga hindi magagandang naidudulot nito.
Una sa lahat, halatang halata ang masamang epekto ng migration sa ating bansa. Hindi maipagkakailang nauubusan na ang PIlipinas ng mga magagaling at talentadong mga Pilipino. Dahil sa mas malaki ang offer o kita sa ibang bansa, mas pinipili ng mga Pilipino (lalo na iyong mga nagtapos sa magagandang unibersidad) na sa iwanan na lang ang PIlipinas at makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa. Sa halip tuloy na dito magtrabaho ang mga kakatapos lamang, umaalis na agad sila. At sa halip din na magkaroon ng pag-asang umunlad ang Pilipinas sa tulong ng mga kakatapos lamang ng kolehiyo, lalong nawawalan ng pag-asa ang bansang umunlad dahil hindi naman dito nagtatrabaho ang mga ito. Ang mga kabataang tinawag ni Dr. Jose Rizal na “pag-asa ng bayan” ay nawawala dahil sa ultimo ang mga ito’y hindi makakita ng kahit na maliit na pag-asa sa mismong bansang ito. Masama mang banggitin ito pero hindi maipagkakailang ang naiiwan sa PIlipinas ay iyong mga hindi kasing talentado ng mga umalis para magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Kung may matira mang mga matatalino at maabilidad na tao dito sa atin, siguradong aalis din sila matapos makapag-ipon ng pera. Hindi na tuloy nakakawala ang Pilipinas sa pagiging third world country nito. Sa halip kasi na ang bansa ang nakikinabang sa mga talento at abilidad ng mga mamamayan nito, ibang bansa ang nakikinabang dito. Ang masaklap pa, ni hindi maisipang bumalik dito ng mga umalis nang mga Pilipino at dito magtrabaho para kahit papaano ay makatulong sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa. Kitang kita rito na tila hindi na makitaan ng pag-asa ng mga Pilipino ang sariling bansa nila.
Nabanggit sa artikulong nakalakip na mas apektado ang pamilya sa pag-alis ng mga magulang papuntang ibang bansa. Nabanggit din na ang mga anak ang pinaka agrabyado at apektado sa sitwasyon ito. Hindi maipagkakaila ang bagay na ito. Una, mahalagang tandaan na ang pamilya ang pundasyon ng lipunan. Sa pamilya natututo ng isang mamamayan na maging mabuting miyembro ng lipunan. At kung walang magulang na gagabay sa paglaki ng isang bata, walang kaduda-dudang mapaririwara ang batang ito. Mapapansin ding magkaiba ang naidudulot kung isa at kung dalawang magulang ang umaalis ng bansa para magtrabaho. Karaniwan, kung isa lamang sa dalawang magulang ang umalis, mas nagiging malapit ang anak sa naiwang magulang. Sa sitwasyong ganito, hindi gaanong kasama ang naidudulot sapagkat mayroon pa ring isang magulang na naiiwan upang gumabay sa anak. Nagkakaroon lamang ng problema sapagkat tila hindi malapit ang anak sa magulang na umalis. Hindi rin maiwasang mapariwara at magbulakbol ang ilang anak sa kawalan ng isang magulang. Nariyang sisihin ang magulang na umalis ng bansa tuwing mapapahamak ang anak. Nagagalit din minsan ang ilang anak sa mga magulang nasa ibang bansa. Ngunit, mas matindi ang mga epekto kung parehong magulang ang umaalis ng bansa upang magtrabaho at iniiwan lamang ang anak sa kamag-anak. Karaniwan, hindi malapit ang anak sa parehong magulang at hindi maiiwasang magalit ang anak sa mga ito. Minsan pa’y ginagawang rason ng mga anak ang kawalan ng magulang at ang pagka-hindi kumpleto ng pamilya upang magbulakbol. Madaling sabihin na maganda ang intensyon ng mga magulang upang iwan ang kanilang mga anak. Ngunit, hindi kailanman maaalis na responsibilidad ng mga magulang na palakihin ang kanilang mg anak. Kung nais talaga nilang lumaking maayos ang kanilang mga anak, sila ang dapat na magpalaki sa mga ito.
At pang huli, dapat ding isaisip na pati ang mga Pilipinong umaalis ay inilalagay din sa panganib ang kanilang mga sarili. Hindi biro ang pakikipagsapalaran na pinagdadaanan ng mga OFWs sa ibang bansa. Sa kanilang pag-alis, ginagawa na nilang vulnerable ang kanilang mga sarili sapagkat ilalayo nila ang kanilang mga sarili sa kanilang mga pamilya. Lalo na pra sa mga mag-isang pupunta ng ibang bansa, isang malaking pagsubok ang iwanan ang kanilang pamilya at makipagsapalaran sa banyagang bansa. Maraming balita ukol sa depression at matinding lungkot na pinagdadaanan ng ilang mga OFW na mag-isa sa ibang bansa. Totoo, madaling sabihin na lilipas din naman ang kalungkutang ito. Subalit, maraming nagkakasakit nang dahil sa sobrang lungkot. Mayroon pa ngang nagpapakamatayt na nang dahil sa matinding lungkot. Mas masaklap pang katotohanan ang mga insidenteng pinapatay ng kanilang mga amo ang mga OFW. Dahil sa karaniwa’y hindi naman kamag-anak o kakilala ng mga amo ang mga OFW, walang pakialam ang mga amo kung makapatay o makasakit man lamang sila. Samakatuwid, inilalagay din ng mga OFW ang kanilang sarili sa kapahamakan tuwing aalis sila ng bansa.
Sa puntong ito, mahalagang suriin kung sino talaga ang dapat sisihin sa patuloy na dumaraming Pilipino na pumupunta sa ibang bansa upang magtrabaho. Sa isang banda, maaaring sabihin na dapat din sisihin ang mga taong pinipiling magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Ngunit, hindi dapat sa kanila ibigay ang lahat ng sisi. Sapagkat, ang kahirapan dito sa bansa ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit nangingibang bansa ang mga Pilipino. Kulang lang ba talaga ang mga bilang ng trabahong ibinibigay sa mga Pilipino? Marahil. Sa dami ng Pilipinong walang trabaho, hindi magawang magpalabas ng gobyerno ng mga trabaho para sa mga PIlipinong ito. Mas pinaguukulan pa ang ibang bagay (tulad ng pagpapayaman sa sarili) kaysa tumulong sa mga dapat tulungan. NI hindi rin naman magawang tumulong ng mga malalaking korporasyon sa ating bansa. Sa halip na bigyang ng siguradong trabaho ang mga Pilipino, ginagawa nilang contractual ang pagtatrabaho ng mga ito. Bakit? Pagpapayaman nanaman kasi ang iniisip. Mas mababa kasi ang gastos kung contractual. Subalit, isyu rin sa puntong ito ang sahod na ibinibigay sa mga trabahador dito sa ating bansa. Dahil napakababa ng sweldo sa Pilipinas (sa kabila ng nagtataasang bilihin) mas minamabuti na ng ilang Pilipino ang magtrabaho sa ibanbg bansa. Kung gayon, paano malulutas ang isyung ito? Iwasan ang pagiging makasarili ng mga pulitiko. Dapat gampanan nila ang sinumpaan nilang responsibilidad sa mga Pilipino. Sa halip na isipin ang pagpapayaman ng sarili, dapat isipin muna nila kung paano mabibigyan ng trabaho ang mga walang trabaho at kung paano bibigyan ng karamptang sweldo ang mga may trabaho na.
mataas nga ang sweldo ng mga OFW pero nakakalungkot naman isipin mga naiiwan nilang pamilya dito. totoo, ginagawa nila ito para magkaroon ng magandang buhay mga naiwang pamilya ngunit paano na ang pagmamahal para sa mga pamilya nila. kung ako ang papapiliin, hindi ko gugustuhin na umalis para lang kumita ng pera. kung masipag ka, magkakaroon ka ng mataas sa sweldo at mabibigay mo ang mga kinakailangan ng iyong pamilya kaysa umalis ka ng bansa, iwanan ang iyong pamilya at ang pinakamahirap para sa mga magulang na OFW ay yung hindi maging malapit sa kanila ang kanilang mga anak.
This is already a problem for the country for years already. It is sad because for the children left without their father or mother is very painful for them. This can also lead them to do bad thing because there's no one to watch them of other things that a parent should do for their children. Some also don't get the chance to study. They do crimes because they are hurt or they do not realize because there's no one to guide and be with them.
Poor children, they have a great future for them but it is now cut down with loneliness because their parents are gone. When a child is growing up it is very important that the parents are there for them. Parents are able to guide children to be better human beings and if parents leave their children to earn more money then they will not be a part of their children's lives.
Kung sa akin mangyayari iyon, mas gugustuhin ko ng maghirap kami kesa malayo ako sa aking mga magulang. Ako'y magsisikap mag-aral upang mapaunlad ang buhay ng aking mga magulang. Kung sa gayon ay di na nila kailngan pang magabroad para lamang kami'y ay mabuhay ng maginhawa.
There is something wrong with this scenario but I don’t think there is a solution to it in the present. The children wouldn’t have a normal life growing up because they only have a single parent or even none taking care of them. But they shouldn’t complain too because at least their parent is working hard to provide them with a better life and is supporting them financially. They should just make the most out of the times they can spend together with their parents and hope that there would be more jobs available here in the country with higher pay so that their parents won’t have to work abroad to have a sufficient income.
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