OFW Journals (OFW Stories on the News) and Some OFW Employment, Career & Business Tips

Name or Nickname: "RP"

Do you want us to publish your name: No

Email: fjtpablo@hotmail.com

Do you want us to publish your email: Yes

Country of Residence: Laos

Profession: Architect

Do you want to settle permanently in abroad and Why: Yes I prefer, if the poverty situation in our country will continue to drop, and this will continue long as we do not have sincere, patriotic and strong leaders to lead our country, it is better to live abroad. For a no answer, it is not easy to leave our native land seeing it in shambles, our
relatives behind, Filipino culture is a close knit.

Is Working or Living in Foreign Country Beneficial to you and Why: Yes
financially, but emotionally no, particularly if your family is left behind. The children also suffer. Sacrifices has to be made by both parents, me being a parent myself.  This cannot be equalled by monetary reward.

Do you think our countrys economy is getting better because of OFWs and Why: Is it getting bettter? Temporarily maybe, due to OFW $ remittances, but this is not a real solution. Except if our national policy is to produce human resources to be exported overseas. This is creating an imbalance.   OFW's contribution to nation's progress thru our profession/skill is lost, instead of other countries are benefitting, this cannot be equalled by the monetary payment or remittances, which is being claimed as uplifting our economy.

What could be the undesirable effects when working abroad to you and to your family left back home: Broken homes, ruined families whatever you may call it (someone has to make a survey on this to prove, this is happening), spoilt children to many too much pampering OFW parents. One parent alone, or an relative taking care of the children is too
difficult.

Are You Worried About the Brain Drain that our country is facing at this time and Why: Yes, where are most of the good professionals/skilled workers working now, who are left behind? There are still those who prefer to remain who are not financially in distress and those new to their trade or profession, most of the young ones wanted to also get out. Try to make a survey on this. Why become a teacher back home and suffer financially, whereas being a domestic helper somewhere, even just in Asia will uplift your living standards?

Can You give some tips or advise to others who may wish to work abroad too Specially on places that you have worked for: In places I have been, Middle eastern places where the weather is harsh and also its laws in most countries, for those with much vices, try to avoid looking jobs in these places, you may not be able to survive, if you are a homebody,
should be alright. There are plenty of opportunities here in Asia, where culture is more gentle and discrimation is less, and it is easier to return home, should it be necessary. But, if it is not really necessary at this time, do not start to set foot abroad as an OFW. There will be negative consequences and there is no turnback, matatali ka na.

If you will be given a post to serve OFWs what could be your plans to protect or serve the Filipino Workers Worldwide: To create decent jobs for not only Pinoy OFW's, that there is no necessity for them to get out of the country. This is a big task, and I must be dreaming on this, but is this plausible? It should happen. Your good idea of protecting OFW
at this time is commendable, this is a cure to an illness, and we should consider it only as a short-term objective. We should look and find out a long-term objective, a preventive measure. I think sustaining, maintaining this continuing OFW syndrome, is a big mistake. It seems our
government now prefer its nationals to be just supermaids, call center employees, rather than obtaining higher degrees as professionals. Recently an article survey in Asia pointed out that Pinoys are left behind in pursuing masteral degrees/post gradute studies etc, compared to its
neighboring countries, the reason: after college graduation Pinoys would rather look for a job to earn a living. There will be negative consequences to our country in the long run.   To summarize all of what I have stated above most of the questions, undeniably the main root of this OFW syndrome is, I can state in a subtle word as lack
of good opportunity, or poverty(?) can I say that.

What is best about being a Filipino: Pinoys in general are patient and
resilient, (not to mention about the good training and language proficiency)in times of trouble/s. All four corners of the globe, even at the harshest tip of it, you can find a hardworking struggling Pinoy. This is one character that makes a Pinoy competitive globally.

Any Message for Us: Thanks for a chance to voice out. More power to your commendable objective and your forum.