Thanking overseas Filipino workers for saving the economy
By Tonyo Cruz, Asian Correspondent, http://uk.asiancorrespondent.com/tonyo-cruz-blog
About ten million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sent back to the Philippines $17.3-billion last year amid the global economic crisis, up by 5.6 percent compared to 2008 figures.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the country’s central bank, said migrant remittances accounted for 10.8 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product.
The World Bank representative in Manila also credited migrant remittances for saving the Philippine economy from the adverse effects of the global recession.
What does these information all mean?
For one, our OFWs deserve our total respect for what they do to family and country.
They have been called “modern-day heroes” but each week and each month, we hear of Filipino diplomatic officials ignoring the plight of abused or distressed OFWs especially in the Middle East and in countries where they are prone to abuses and racism. The empty title “modern-day heroes” should give way to a more pro-active approach in defending the rights and promoting the welfare of OFWs wherever they may live and work. The Department of Foreign Affairs should be on its toes 24/7 to address their concerns.
Second, our OFWs appear to be really having a hard time living in crisis-stricken receiving countries and at the same time try to salvage their families from ruinous conditions in the Philippines.
In my talks with OFWs and migrant leaders, they have always stressed that, of late, OFWs have been working on two jobs at the least to earn and send home the same amount of remittances they used to remit in the past. No thanks to the global economic crisis, a number have lost their jobs or their benefits scaled back. Those lucky enough to find an alternate job appear to be trying to recoup lost earning via second or third jobs.
Third, the Philippine government owes OFWs big time!
That may already be the understatement of the year or of the decade. The corruption and flawed policies of the Arroyo government have brought to the country to the brink of economic bankruptcy. It only has the OFWs to thank for saving its skin.
The very least that the Arroyo government could do is to STOP all forms of exactions on OFWs, including the documentary stamp tax on remittances and a halt on mandatory payments of all sorts of unaccounted fees that previously ended up in the campaign kitty of presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004 (Remember?).
Government must fully account for all OFW contributions to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Social Security System, Philhealth, Pag-ibig and other agencies that view the OFWs a mere milking cows. Based on experience, these agencies are slow in releasing benefits (including those intended for departed or murdered OFWs) but are quick in raising fees and premiums or in collecting them.
Finally, this is not the way to raise and build a strong economy. We are living off the backs of fellow Filipinos who toil endlessly for family and country while in foreign shores. We must end this over-dependence on OFW remittances and the flawed labor export policy.
The next government would do well to craft a new economic policy that stresses mass employment opportunities through industrialization, agricultural modernization based on land reform and the establishment of enterprises capable of employing hundreds of thousands to millions. It should encourage the rise and development of entrepreneurs, especially the former and returning OFWs who wish to start anew in the country.
In the meantime, while the government and the country prepares for this medium and long-term assault on mass poverty, we expect government to give due respect and recognition to OFWs, to be champions of their rights and welfare, to rescue those in desperate need or in abusive situations, and to fight back against erring employers and illegal recruiters who prey on them.
That is what our “modern-day heroes”, who routinely save the economy from total ruin, fundamentally deserve.
