Chapter V

Locally-Stranded Individuals (LSI) and Global Migration

Manuscript Intended for: Sudents

Modality: Blended/Flexible Learning
Module No./Subject: 5, Contemporary World
Allotted time: 3 hours, 5th week
Author: Dr. Arsenio M. Escalona

I. Learning Outcomes
This lesson intends to prepare students to:
1. Display first-hand knowledge of the experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs);
2. Analyze the political, economic, cultural, and social factors underlying the global movements of
people;
3. Use basic concepts of global migration across domains of knowledge; and
4. Appreciate complexities of human lives. Will be re

II. Learning Management System

Lesson 1: Suggested Activity/Activities

http://www.wittgensteincentre.org/en/research-themes-groups/migration-drivers-impacts.htm

Activity 1- Locally-stranded individuals

Ask the group who can describe a locally-stranded individual? Have a follow-up question citing what had
transpired in the Senate Hearing last June 24, 2020 whose agenda included action taken by our
government regarding repatriation of 167,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were stranded in
different countries of the world. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration confirmed that DOLE-
OWWA had spent Php660,000.00 from its Php1 billion fund. These OFWs had lost their jobs because of
Covid-19 pandemic. In the Philippines, DOLE announced that 4 million workers are about to lose their
jobs. Airline companies are at the top. AirAsia and Cebu Pacific already announced that 12% of workers
retrenched. Ask them also if this 2,000 companies already decided to let go some of their workers? What
would happen to our economy? Ritzer in 2015 explained that these people are on the move because they
have to be as they are not faring well in their home countries. Vagabonds are forced to move in the hope
that their circumstances will improve. Kritz in 2008 added, that those who migrate to find work are
involved in labor migration.
Lesson 2: Integration
Topic 1- Globalization according to Bauman
Globalization according to Bauman in 2003, is
one of the very important changes in our
society and the world. It is a fact that we refer
ourselves as part of the global age. We still
study this concept for two reasons: first, the
person who defines globalization shapes its
definition. One’s definition and perspective
could determine concrete steps in addressing
the issues of globalization. And second,
globalization according to Cesar Poppi is the
debate and the debate is globalization. It is a
reality. It is changing as human society https://ied.eu/project-updates/the-future-of-refugee-europe/
develops. We should expect fluidity and complexity which made more debates, discussion and definitions
than agreements to it. Overall, globalization is a concept that is not easy to define, because globalization
has a “shifting nature”. Never in our widest dream would think that Covid-19 pandemic would restrict
global migration. Moreover, would give nightmare to all OFWs because they had lost most coveted jobs
which support entirely the needs of their immediate families. The shift became so unconscionable which
pile up problems exponentially. Where can you imagine a scenario that is only true in cinemas happening
in our midst and backyards?

Lesson 3: Motivation
Topic 1- Tom and Jerry: A different kind of shifting nature
Ask all of them about their favorite
“anime” or cartoon character?
Individually ask them their reasons.
Allow them to recall that it seems life in
every episode they watched was so easy
because the “treatment” or platform was
to entertain children like them. Ask them
who were very fond of “Tom and
Jerry”? Emphasized that even it was an
entertainment device, it was worthy of
scrutiny because every episode brought
different way of “shifting nature”
features. Tom –the Cat plays tyrant and
aggressor being the loser and Jerry- the theconversation.com/tom-and-jerry-why-theyre-a-cat-and-mouse-double-act-for-the-ages-91762

Rat although being intimidated most of the time was becoming more “articulate” and “wiser”. Both of
their “strategies” were so effective that you could laugh loud. The lesson here apparently has to be
emphasized more clearly. While countries were divided between rich or developed countries and poor or
developing countries; humanity in general have rich and poor people, but we should think of fitted
strategies to strike right balance to it: more equitable, fair, and just. In this contemporary world today,
India and China were presently in a border conflict. Some of Indian businessmen to protect their economy
burned an effigy of President XI and as they denounced the intimidation or harassment being perpetuated:
they asked common nationals to boycott Chinese goods and products. In similar set-up, Filipinos were
being prevented by Chinese Coast Guards from fishing in our own exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
International arbitration board already decided the case in our favor, nonetheless, we cannot enforce it
because we are but a poor country having no sufficient military might. The international law granted us
title or ownership but we are played out because we are just the “Jerry”. With this issue, ask all of them if
they still believe in what was printed on the face of every peso bill: “Pinagpala and Bayan na ang Dios ay
ang Panginoon”? Why? And why not?

Lesson 4: Presentation
Topic 1- Flows according to Ritzer
Ritzer in 2015 provided a very accurate definition of globalization metaphorically as flows. According to
him, flows are the movement of people, things, places, and information brought by the growing
“porosity” of global limitations. In this stage of Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot just rely on speculations.
We need to become more “strategic” and focused. We should not just lose sight and hope. We should
allow the will of God teaching us clearly what to do next. The new normal will bring us to a much simple
life but peaceful one. Locally-stranded individuals will soon be with their respective families. Stranded
OFWs abroad will soon reach their destination way back home- the Philippines.

Lesson 5: Discussion Proper

Topic 1- 244 million International Migrants
Current estimates are that there are 244 million international migrants globally or around 3.3 percent of
the world’s population. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs provided the
statistics as follows: first, the United States having 46,627,102 immigrants; second, Germany with
12,005,690; third, Russia with 11,643,276; fourth, Saudi Arabia with 10,185,945; and lastly, the United
Kingdom with 8,543,120 immigrants. We can deduce that a very significant portion of their population
comprised people who could help in reshaping demography. Laws which provided them new home
should likewise protect them against atrocities and inhuman situation. This was the message conveyed by
Pope Francis when he visited the United States asking for clear solution about constructing barrier
between Mexico and US.

Topic 2- Global Migration defined

Global migration is the movement of a person or a group of people, to settle in another place, often across
a political or administrative boundary. Migration can be temporal or permanent, and it may be voluntary
or forced. How people migrate depends greatly on each nation’s current immigration laws and the safety
of the route itself. While some migrants are able to travel by airplane or train, others do not have the same
luxury. Those looking to enter Europe through North Africa often face a particularly perilous route: an
extremely overcrowded boat over the Mediterranean Sea, sometimes Saharan Desert trek directly
beforehand. Transportation is one of many examples of how migration can take drastically different
forms. People move because of five (5) different factors namely, safety, natural disaster, political conflict,
education, and their families.

Topic 3- Two (2) Types of Migration

1. Internal Migration- migration within the country such as cities or provinces.
2. International Migration- migration outside the country.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Country losing People

Advantages:
1. Money sent home by migrants.
2. Decreases pressure on jobs and resources.
3. Migrants may return with new skills.

Disadvantages:
1. People of working age move out reducing the size of the country’s potential workforce.
2. Gender imbalances are caused as it is typically men who seek to find employment elsewhere. Women
and children are left.
3. “Brain drain” if many skilled workers leave.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Host Country

Advantages:
1. A richer and more diverse culture.
2. Helps to reduce any labor shortages.
3. Migrants are more prepared to take on low paid, low skilled jobs.

Disadvantages:
1. Increasing cost of services such as health care and education.
2. Overcrowding.
3. Disagreements between religions and cultures.

Topic 4- The Push-Pull Factor

Some of the reasons that trigger global migration can be explained by what is known as the push-pull
factor.
1. Pull factors- are factors in the destination country that attract the individual or group to leave their
home. These factors attract people to a new place largely because of the opportunities presented in the
new location were not available to them previously. An example of a pull factor would include a family
moving from a country with minimal job opportunities for a successful career. The beneficial elements
that the new country presents/encourages people to migrate there in order to seek a better life for their
families.
2. A push factor refers to conditions which force people to leave their homes. A person would typically
move because of distress, safety, natural disaster, or political conflict. Although push factors do not
require a person to leave their home, the conditions impacting the push factors often negatively impact the
quality of life for the person if they choose to stay. Places that experience drought and famine, war
conflicts, and/or high unemployment would contribute to the push factors that trigger migration for the
country’s residents.

Topic 5- Does Migration Improve the Quality of Life?

Whether individuals migrate due to push or pull factors, there are undeniable benefits involved with
adapting to a new country. Some benefits are simply fun and exciting. Learning a new culture and
experiencing new opportunities, such as tasting new foods and getting to know a different approach to
communication, or immersing yourself in the new cultural activities, can be exciting and enriching. Other
benefits, namely personal freedoms, are very much important. People may leave their home countries in
search of religious, academic, or political freedom in their new countries. Others, in search of a better
quality of life for their families. Apparently in situation like this, aside from being with their families,
migration has drastically improved their lives.
III. Process Questions
The following questions are laid down to assess effectiveness of teaching-learning process. It will also
help them remember important concepts and principles discussed earlier and to apply what they have
learned in daily lives.
1. What are the opportunities and challenges of global migration? How about internal migration?
2. In what ways do you think immigration benefits a country?
3. Supposedly, you have an opportunity to migrate internationally will you leave the Philippines? Why?