Remittances of OFWs third largest in the world

By Mel Libre

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific recently released a report about the remittances of migrant workers to their countries of origin. Surprise, surprise, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) brought in the third largest amount.

The top three: China - $21.7 billion; India - $21.3 billion; Philippines - $11.6 billion. The list also included Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, followed by Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Nepal. One highlight was that annual remittances in the Philippines and Bangladesh exceed official development aid and foreign direct investments.

It is not surprising for China and India to be on top considering that they have the highest population in the world. Though these countries are experiencing rapid economic growth, job opportunities are still not enough to absorb their bourgeoning population.

The Philippines¹ ranking has more to do with three factors: scarcity of jobs combined with low wage rates; unstable political climate; and strong family ties.

While government is preaching about an economic turnaround, the unemployment rate continues to rise each year as new graduates join the labour force. If work is available, the income of the employed is below the poverty level. I know of some parents whose children are licensed doctors yet the former still provide the latter with daily allowances.

Hospitals, both private and government-owned, give pittance to nurses and other health workers and even tie them up with 2-3 years contracts to prevent them from going abroad. Other graduates and professionals waste their talents in call centres, which has little need of the specialized knowledge learned in the university.

With constant threats from the militant Left, military coup plotters, Muslim separatists and terrorists, and with the sustained attacks against those in power by the opposition, who would not to give up on the Philippines? When a new door is opened by people power allowing the nation a fresh start, our leaders throw away the opportunity by going back to corruption, patronage politics, crab mentality and mediocrity.

When things turn from bad to worse in our country with no prospect of improvement, the tendency is for one to get out. Thus, we see the exodus of professionals to more progressive nations. They get a work permit. Others obtain permanent residency. Still others gamble as tourists and become illegal migrants. But whatever his/her status is in the foreign land, the Filipino never cuts the cord that ties him/her to family.

Love for family is the primary reason for that $11.6 billion remittance. As Filipino workers abroad send their hard-earned money back home, they pray fervently that government and the businesses that reap the benefits would use the taxes and profits to make the Philippines a home worthy of returning to.

Mel Libre is a Pinoy.Net.NZ columnist