Vulnerable to abuse

Following numerous reports of maltreatment by employers and even deaths, the government has suspended the deployment of workers to Kuwait. The cases are being investigated to determine the Philippines’ final move. Previous bans in other countries have been reversed.

The reports from Kuwait should provide impetus for the government to intensify efforts to create an environment that will provide decent jobs and livelihood opportunities in the Philippines, so that Filipinos will see no need to work overseas.

Labor exploitation and various forms of physical, sexual and psychological abuses are among the risks faced by the nation’s army of about 10 million overseas Filipino workers. The government discourages OFWs from working in zones of armed conflict, but some ignore prohibitions because compensation can be triple the normal rates.

Apart from abuse, the OFW phenomenon has steep social costs that even Pope Francis raised during his visit to the Philippines in January 2015. Marriages and families are broken and children grow up without parents. People may think twice about leaving their families if there are employment alternatives especially in the areas where they reside. This calls for the creation of a business-friendly environment. Meaningful jobs can also be created outside cities through tourism and greater support for agricultural production. Micro entrepreneurship can be encouraged through support in financing, technology and marketing. All these activities will benefit from cutting red tape and making it easier to do business in this country.

There will always be Filipinos who will want to work in other countries. Globalization has made this easier, but it has also facilitated the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers. Having a tenth of the population working overseas also deprives the nation of skills that are needed for development. While promoting the welfare of OFWs all over the world, the government must work harder in creating an environment that will make it unnecessary for Filipinos to find decent work in other countries.