The Philippine economy has been steadily growing. It is in fact, the second fastest growing economy in Asia, second only to China. The gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter of last year. The economy is still expected to grow in the years ahead.
But while it seems like there’s a bright future ahead, ordinary Filipinos are not feeling the “growth.” According to Trading Economics, the unemployment rate in the Philippines increased by 6.6 percent in the first quarter of this year. A total of 2.6 billion Filipinos are jobless. This is the reason why most Filipinos opt to work abroad. Aside from the good pay, employment benefits in other countries are much better in the Philippines.
According to Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) statistics, more than 2.2 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were deployed in 2013. The bulk of these workers go to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) for employment. The remittances from OFWs contribute to the growing economy.
BUILDING A FUTURE
In 2013, a total of 261,119 workers were deployed to the UAE. Most OFWs in the UAE are located in Dubai, one of its seven emirates. Kristine May Cruz, 32, has been working in Dubai for seven years now. As a ramp operations team leader at Dubai International Airport, she supervises the loading and unloading of baggage and cargo to the aircraft. Some days she has to spend the day, under the heat of the sun, on the tarmac, making sure everything is checked and ready to go.
“It’s hard work but I don’t complain. Why should I? Everybody works hard,” the mother of two says.
She works for her two children, Seth, 6 and Kate, 3, so that they will have the best life growing up. “I get homesick a lot but Skype helps. I get to see my loved ones as if they are just in the other room,” she says.
Kristine May Cruz works as a ramp operations team leader at the Dubai International Airport.
Kristine grew up practically without parents. Her dad was a seaman so he was a way most of the time while her mom left the Philippines for Geneva, Switzerland when she was just 14 years old. She grew up with her mom’s friend. Her mom has been working as a nanny in Geneva for 19 years now.
“I now know how my own parents felt when they had to leave me to work. Being away from my kids is the most challenging part. But it’s also rewarding that I am able to provide for them even if it means being apart from them,” she says.
On the other hand, Marijel de Claro Andal, 33, wanted to work abroad to chase her dream of giving her family a bright future. Still single, she supports her family in Pasig.
“It’s actually one of my dreams to work outside the country. I decided to work here in Dubai to also help my family financially,” she says.
An accounting graduate, she works as an associate payroll specialist for an oil company. She has been working in Dubai for five years now.
FACING CHALLENGES
They say homesickness is the worst enemy of OFWs. It is also true for Kristine and Marijel because being away from the family for long periods of time is no easy feat.
“The first year was the worst. It was my first time being away from my family. It helped that I have friends here who I also consider as family,” she says.
The adjustment they had to go through included adapting to the new culture and interacting with so many different nationalities. Dubai is an international emirate, with workers and expats coming from around the world.
Aside from the heat of the desert weather, they have to face tough challenges, one of which was the country’s strict policy. Anyone living in this Arab country has to adhere to the rules. For instance, the public decency laws in Dubai strictly prohibit passionate kissing and touching. If you’re living under one roof with the opposite sex, you have to be either related or married.
“Dubai is a fairly open emirate but it is still an Arab country. The country has strict laws that we need to abide with. We really do not have a choice but to follow them because I’m just a ‘guest’ in their country,” Marijel says.
Another problem Filipinos face is discrimination. Racism is a big problem around the world. Just a few weeks ago, a Hong Kong politician blamed Filipino domestic helpers for ruining marriages because they tend to “seduce” their employers. Groups of OFWs demanded for an apology for yet another race stereotype of Filipinas.
“Even though you are doing your best they still will not recognize it because they don’t want ‘us’ on top,” Marijel says. “I don’t mind it, I just do my job the bestn way I can.” Marijel’s first job in Dubai was with a publishing company.
A devout Catholic, Marijel Andal learned to respect the Muslim culture, like the wearing of a burka inside a mosque.
VALUABLE LESSONS
One of the many misconceptions is they live a glamorous life. OFWs can afford fancy clothes and they get to travel the world. For most workers, it’s not all glam and designer bags, it’s hard work, courage, and patience.
“They think that we get paid huge amounts of money, but that’s not true. The salary we get here has no tax and we get no deduction, that’s the difference. But we still have our responsibilities and pay our obligation. It’s practically just the same,” Marijel says. “Half of my salary goes to my family in the Philippines, then I have my obligations with rent, bills, and food. So, little is left with me. I just really budget my money so I can also buy what I want.” Kristine and Marijel’s experiences have taught them to be independent and to realize the world is a much bigger place.
“You have to be strong to handle everything especially if you have a smaller support system. I have friends here but my family is back home. You have to be brave,” Kristine says.
“Working abroad makes one stronger, more independent, and more matured in handling problems. You will learn many things because you live alone and you’re on foreign soil,” Marijel adds.
They highly recommend working abroad to other Filipinos because it’s an opportunity not many can have. They have no plans of returning here and staying here for good because for them, working outside the country has made them better people, better Filipinos.
“I love our country, but as of now I do not have any plans to go back and work in the Philippines. Maybe in the future. The Philippines is still a work in progress and it has a long way to go.”