Why OFWs Are Taking a Risk to Find Better Jobs in Other
Countries
Many people move from their own country and migrate to another country to stay
and live for many reasons. According to the Institute of Global Specialists (2020), people
migrate worldwide in quest of job opportunities and other personal opportunities, which is
referred to as global migration. The movement of individuals across international borders
is known as human migration. Human mobility patterns affect the culture, demography,
and economic landscapes of the locations people depart from and the places they inhabit.
They are a reflection of the circumstances of a changing globe. In the Philippines, Sixty
percent of all Filipino immigrants end up in the United States, according to data gathered
by the CFO since 1981. Australia (5.9%), Canada (20.12%), and Japan (6.21%) are the
next most popular countries after the United States. Following the United States in
popularity among Filipino immigrants are Canada (20.12%), Japan (6.21%), and Australia
(5.9%), followed by Italy, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, and
Spain (Commission on Filipinos Overseas, 2018). OFW or Overseas Filipino Workers is
the term used to call to people who migrate to another country to find a great job
opportunity. They have many reasons for choosing to work and migrate to another
country. Three of their reasons were earning a Higher Salary, Job Opportunities to
develop Professional skills, and No strict job qualifications.
One reason many Filipino people choose to work in another country is that they
can earn a higher salary if they work abroad than in the Philippines. Since many
companies abroad have a labor shortage, they offer a higher salary to recruit fresh talent
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and keep their employees. For instance, if a Filipino works in the Philippines and earns
8,000 pesos per month, OFW can earn 16,000 with high benefits (Owwamember, 2021).
OFWs can earn twice of salary compared if they work in the Philippines. Although, they
need to apply for a better job that applies to them, and they need to sacrifice and take
risks to earn a high salary.
The second reason is that there are a lot of job opportunities to apply abroad that
can give them a chance to develop their professional skills compared to the Philippines.
The choice between a solid career and a professional setting is one of the most significant
ones a person must make. According to O'Dea (2022), The United Kingdom is the bestpaid country to work in, and unemployment is relatively low. Brexit will certainly impact
job possibilities in the UK, particularly for foreign employees. Since the United Kingdom
is a well-developed country, the technology and the working environment will be helpful
to OFWs in gaining knowledge about their work. The concept of migration appeals to
Filipinos. They would like to work abroad and enjoy the benefits of their time in the country
due to a lack of modern technology. Technology and modern living provide many more
options, especially regarding jobs.
The last reason Filipinos want to migrate to another country for work is that most
companies from other countries have no strict qualifications for some jobs. In the
Philippines, most companies have high standard that makes it harder for Filipinos to find
a job in the Philippines. Big companies in the Philippines have a lot of requirements and
qualifications before they hire a person. According to Pinoy-OFW.com (2021), many
businesses are fascinated with hiring people from respected academic institutions. As a
result, graduates of lesser-known colleges are frequently discriminated against and
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pushed to accept less desired and lower-paying employment. That encourages Filipinos
to take risks and work abroad rather than seek a low-paying job in their home country. It
makes it for Filipino people easier to get decent jobs in other countries than in the
Philippines.
Finding a job that sustains our basic needs is very difficult nowadays; people need
help finding decent jobs that suit them in the Philippines and other countries. Through
struggles to find a decent job in their home country, people get the idea to risk applying
abroad for better job opportunities. Since Filipinos are known for being responsible,
dependable, and hardworking, they can easily get a job in other countries. Although
working abroad is more challenging than everyone thinks, being an OFW is very hard
because they must protect the Philippines' reputation to maintain good relationships with
the countries. OFWs' life is difficult since they choose to leave the comforts of their homes
to provide a better future for their families. It is complex for any OFW since they must
work in a country unfamiliar to provide a good living for their family in the Philippines. It is
a significant sacrifice that must be made for the sake of their family and loved ones.
Homesickness is one of the most difficult obstacles for an Overseas Filipino Worker.
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