Labor Export as Government Policy: The Case of the Philippines
By Kevin O'Neil
Migration Policy Institute
January 2004
Few countries have as many of their citizens living abroad as the Republic of the Philippines, or depend so greatly on migration for their economic vitality. According to the government, more than 7.3 million Filipinos, or eight percent of the country's population, currently reside abroad. From 1990 to 2001, official recorded remittances alone averaged 20.3 percent of the country's export earnings and 5.2 percent of GNP, providing a lifeline for many families in a poor country that saw little economic growth in several of those years.
However impressive, these figures understate the role that migration plays in Filipino national culture and public policy. For more than 25 years, export of temporary labor has been an explicit response to double-digit unemployment rates. The government has developed a sophisticated policy regime to promote and regulate labor emigration. Migrants, and migration, are valued: Each year, the president celebrates Migrant Workers Day by awarding the "Bagong Bayani" (modern-day hero) award to 20 outstanding migrant workers who have demonstrated moral fortitude, hard work, and a track record of sending money home.
3 comments:
May I please just add in ... the culture of migration in the Philippines started during the Marcos era in 1973 because of high unemployment rate and other social ills and fortunately the big employment opportunities came in the oil rich country Saudi Arabia where there were so many infrastracture projects to be done and Filipinos was so ripe to supply big volume of skilled and non skilled workers. Government thought it was just temporary, however, it became a culture of Migration amongst Filipinos wanting to alleviate from poverty and believing that its the only option to prosper in life.
However, there is a toll to be paid, one is .... the long separation of the OFW resulted in high incidence of dysfunctional families.
I am still optimistic that someday once again our economy will rise and the need for the OFW to work abroad will be lessen. Economy is the key, If I am going to received a salary not far from onboard salary why should I go onboard and away from my family?
Just to add a comment on what Sir Olabre has said, I also believe that if the government will just focus on the strengths of this country, we may be able to lessen the number of filipino's working abroad. The government should focus in maximizing the agricultural industry of the country as this is one of strengths. We have the means to succeed in this industry. Rather than settle for the so called "remittances" that the OFW's are bringing in the country.
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