Improving sustainable local economic opportunities remains a demand in the Philippines

The lack of local economic opportunities remains the biggest reason for migration and the strongest push factor for Filipinos to seek overseas employment, despite the dangers and problems accompanying migration.

Filipinos and their families brave the challenges if only to answer their financial demands, and many families have indeed been paying the consequences.

One is on the issue on women, as more and more of them, including minors, have been drawn into migration as demand for domestic work abroad increase, even in countries where conflict is present. This feminization of overseas work exposes women to risks from all forms of physical abuse, including rape and battering by their employers. The same cases are still reported, unfortunately many go without justice proving the present efforts of the government are still insufficient to protect our women.

With mostly women, in particular mothers feel the need to leave and work abroad the children are highly affected.

“We do understand that migration and employment opportunities are rights inherent to each person, but the factors behind migration and the effects of migration is haunting the OFWs and their families,” Ms. Inorisa Sialana - Elento of MMCEAI explained.

In fact, she added, there are more cases reported and sentiments showing the disadvantageous consequences of migration far outweighing the promise of economic opportunities. “Many of the families, especially children left behind by their OFW parents, bitterly understand or accept their reality, like the absence of their mothers, to help the family acquire their needs such as their education.”

The absence of the parent had been taking its toll with cases of incest, rape, abandonment, and estrangement or strains in family relationship. Due to the lack of economic opportunities at home that forces Filipinos to migrate, families coming from the poorest sector are experiencing torment in exchange of their yearning to bring even a little progress in their family.

The recently conducted Anak-OFW consultation and summit in Davao City confirmed the negative effect on children when they are left behind by their OFW parents, from boredom and longing to be with their parents, to engaging in antisocial activities such as liquor use, sex, drugs and gangsterism.

This highlights the need for more sustainable economic opportunities in the Philippines, although there are other reasons for migration, such as man-made calamities and climate changes. (A similar concern is raised by MMCEAI on the issue of trafficking as illegal recruiters prowl on the hapless evacuees and exploit their vulnerability to recruit young women for hard labor and prostitution.)

“In migration, it is not only the OFW parents who are suffering, not only the children alone who are affected, but this is the entire family. For decades, the lack of sustainable local jobs and other economic opportunities for men and women, including the wars that ravage communities, is still the reason why Filipinos migrate. Ms. Elento added. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations recently signed an agreement to ensure the protection and welfare of migrant workers from their countries to the receiving countries, which may indicate the growing concern among sending countries on the plight of their nationals.

While it may also show the eagerness of international leaders to advance the rights of the OFWs, migrant institutions and civil society organizations are also wary about the content of the policy, especially on the issue of its implementation and monitoring,

“We hope that the papers signed by the world leaders is not just another act of signing and agreeing, but with actions of sincerity to uphold the rights of migrants as stated in that policy.” Ms. Elento pointed.

As the world observes today the International Migrants Day, the Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions remains steadfast in its commitment to advocate the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families. With unwavering dedication, the organization will continue together with its partners and stakeholders to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, the survivors of displacement due to calamities and emergencies and their families.

Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions Inc. (MMCEAI)

#71 Continental St. Davao Executive Homes, McArthur Hiway, Davao City Tel. 299-0374 / 09392665387