Understanding the Motives of Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs)

Word Count: 601

Globalization manifests in various ways such as consumption of foreign products

and adherence to international policies, but OFWs experience it firsthand as they work

outside the Philippines. As Filipinos employed abroad, they encounter the effects of

globalization on a personal level, which can be both beneficial and challenging. They

face unique challenges such as cultural differences, language barriers, and the need to

adapt to different work environments and social norms. The crucial question to answer

is the underlying reasons that drive Filipinos to leave their homeland and seek

employment abroad. To shed light on this issue, we will discuss three primary factors

that motivate Filipinos to work overseas, which will help us understand the complex

socio-economic landscape that shapes the OFW phenomenon.

The potential of a greater income and pay is one of the primary reasons why

Filipinos prefer to work overseas. Many Filipinos who work overseas report earning

substantially more than they would in the Philippines, allowing them to better support

their family back home. OFWs working in the Middle East and Africa had the highest

average salary among all OFWs, according to a poll performed by the Philippine

Statistics Authority (PSA). PSA (2022) declares in the same poll that 66.2% of OFWs

stated that a greater salary was their top motivation for working overseas (Philippine

Statistics Authority, 2021). This indicates how important income is in driving Filipinos to

move and seek better career prospects abroad.

 Another reason for Filipinos preferring to work overseas is due to the high

unemployment rate in the Philippines. Pinoy OFW (2022) declares that around 400,000

people joining the labor field each year, a major proportion of the jobless in the

Philippines are recent graduates. However, a sizable proportion of them have been laid

off or had their employment contracts canceled. This is due to prejudice and

unreasonable employment requirements. Even for the most basic occupations, there is

an overabundance of employment candidates in the Philippines. Employers have

created prejudiced and impracticable conditions in order to reduce the number of

applicants and discourage unqualified candidates. Many Filipino employers prioritize

physical beauty, age, and other irrelevant characteristics over experience and ability.

The last reason for Filipinos migrating to other countries is to learn new skills.

Vista Land International (2021) declares that many Filipinos' want to acquire new skills,

which is one of the causes of their desire to work overseas. Even though the Philippines

is home to several top-notch educational institutions, some Filipinos believe they must

leave their nation in order to explore new subjects, technology, and ideas. Working

overseas may provide Filipinos the chance to widen their horizons, learn from seasoned

experts, and acquire practical experience in the sector of their choice. Another reason

for this is many Filipinos who want to progress their professions and support their

families consider acquiring new skills to be a beneficial investment because they may

lead to new professional prospects and boost one's earning potential.

In conclusion, there are many reasons why Filipinos wish to work overseas, such

as the potential for higher pay, the high unemployment rate in the nation, and the desire

to pick up new skills. These factors have created the complex socioeconomic
framework that supports the phenomenon of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a

significant economic driver in the country. While working abroad may offer opportunities

for career and personal growth, OFWs also face a number of challenges that may be

both advantageous and challenging. Understanding and addressing the root factors that

lead Filipinos to search for employment abroad is essential if we want to ensure that

they have access to fair and respectable working conditions.