Transnational Migration in The Philippines

TRANSNATIONAL
MIGRATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES
TRANSNATIONAL MIGRATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES
International Migration:
 Definition: is a term used to refer to change of usual
residence between nations.
 Has made a permanent mark in the Philippines in the
last forty years.
 Philippines has been known as a primary source country
of International Migrants.
Has given a transnational layer to the country’s
economic, political, and cultural landscape
Can be easily appreciated when considering the
magnitude, diversity, and distribution of the Overseas
Filipino Population all over the world.
As of December 2013, there are:
10.2 million, stock estimate of Overseas Filipinos
4.9 million, Permanent Settlers
4.2 million, Temporary Migrants
1.3 million, Irregular Migrants
More than a million Filipinos every year leave to work

abroad through overseas employment agencies, and other
programs, including government sponsored initiatives.
OVERSEAS FILIPINO OFTEN WORK AS:
• Doctors • Seafarers
• Physical Therapists • Students
• Nurses • Fast food Workers
• Accountants
• IT Professionals Also, many overseas workers
• Engineer are women applying as
domestic helpers and
• Architects
caregivers.
• Entertainers Others emigrate and become
• Technicians permanent residents of other
• Teachers countries.
• Military Servicemen
 BRAIN DRAIN, a number of skilled workers taking on unskilled
work overseas. This affects the health and education sectors.
 For Example:
Doctors have retrained to become nurses just to be able to
go abroad fast.
The presence of Filipino throughout most of the world’s

countries has become about largely because of temporary labor
migration. Permanent migration is limited to the traditional
settlement countries such as the United States, Canada,
Australia, and New Zealand.
Generally, Philippines is viewed as the top source of
workers for global labor market.
Philippines is not just a source of workers but also a
destination country for other international migrants.
 In the past years, many foreigners would come and visit the
Philippines for tourism, business, and study purpose.
 Among the foreign nationals who choose to migrate and settle
in the Philippines were the Chinese, Indians, Japanese, and
Koreans. There are also some Vietnamese living in the country.
Several Europeans are also enjoying the tropical climate and
decided to live here.
In 2006, according to Damazo (2007), Koreans
topped the list of foreign visitors in the country. They
have created communities in the different places of
Philippines, showing that most of them have settled
and wanted to stay permanently.
Nowadays, there are numerous foreign retirees and
businessmen who are living in the different island of
the country. Some have built their own resorts and
hotels, and some are doing charity works for
Indigenous Filipinos.
TRANSNATIONAL MIGRATION AND THE
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
Overseas Filipino Worker:
 is a person of Filipino origin who works and lives
outside of the Philippines.
Term applies to Filipinos who are abroad indefinitely
as citizens or as permanent residents of different
country and those Filipino Citizens who are abroad
for a limited, definite period as workers or students.
As a result of this migration, many countries have
substantial Filipino communities.
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS)
TOTAL POPULATION AS OF 2013- 10,218, 614
DISTRIBUTION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO
WORKERS
B Y A GE , G RO U P , SE X A N D A RE A - 20 1 4
DISTRIBUTION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO
WORKERS
B Y A GE , G RO U P , SE X A N D A RE A - 20 1 4
 Overseas Filipino Workers whose remittances are giving the
country’s economy a boost, are now called bayaning bayan.
 These so-called bagong bayani are a diverse group. They are
composed of emigrants and contract worker, documented
and/or undocumented.
 OCWs or overseas contract workers are those who work on a

temporary basis or contractual employment status- usually
fixed terms of six months to two years. They also lack physical
and social mobility in the receiving country and are restricted
depending on terms stated in their contract.
 Later on, OCW came to be called an “OFW” with the insertion
of the word “Filipino” adding a national projection that is fit
for the new so-called heroes. Since then, OFW has become the
preferred version.
Despite the high remittances of OFWs that total of
billions of dollars annually, most of them were found to
be victims of abuse and maltreatment by their employers
abroad.
Aside from the welfare of OFWs and other Filipino
migrants abroad, there are other concerns regarding
their status such as the right to vote and the right to be
presented in their perspective parliaments as well. Either
way, there will be someone who will lobby to grant them
additional benefits and rights as overseas workers.
 Nowadays, migrants also play an important role in policy
making, especially because of their large number. The birth of
new information and communication technology also paved the
way for easier personal communication which allows for
transnational connections that can sustain political practices.
 Migrants have gained economic and political influence mainly

because their remittances are helping developing countries. In
February 2003, the Absentee Voting Bill was passed into law .
The signing of this bill served as the culmination of a long
struggle by migrant worker groups to practice their right to vote
even when they are out of the country. The first election after
the law was passed in May 2004
EFFECTS ON FAMILY OF MIGRANTS
NEGATIVE EFFECTS:
 Many children of migrant workers have grown up not knowing
both of their parents, which is the reason why there is very
little affection between them. Many family relationships are
broken as one parent emigrates which causes a larger
proportion of children growing up with divorced or separated
parents.
 Many Filipinos believe that they and their family have a
bigger chance of having a better future if they work abroad.
Of course, there are trade-offs such as emotional loss for
material gain, the difficulties of life while abroad, and the
cross-cultural differences and tensions.
 Most of the jobs offered to Filipinos are on a short term basis
only. Temporary jobs are usually excluded from basic labor
rights such as overtime pay, regular breaks or restricted
working hours. The temporary nature of OFWs causes
additional stress for the family. This would mean a not steady
income for the family.
 OFWs can use video chat, Facebook, Messenger, Instagram,
Twitter to keep in touch with their family. Although,
technology allows for a more frequent and mobile exchange
between families separated by distances, the fact remains
that the changes in quality of life for these families still do
not alter the structural condition under which they must live
their lives apart.
POSITIVE EFFECTS:
Migrants and their families may experience their
transnational existence as a source of personal
enrichment and development.
Their lifestyle opportunities and language abilities
can be enhanced.
Can also have a broadened horizon and will gain the
ability to navigate between different two or more
cultures.
TRANSNATIONAL MIGRATION
CHALLENGES
 Challenges arise within the family level, and in the individual
level.
 It has caused family disruption because of the need of the
head of the family to live elsewhere to earn a living and be
able to give his family a comfortable means of living.
 The parents need to separate. For instance, the father or
mother has to leave to work abroad. There are even cases
where both parents are working abroad in separate countries.
EFFECTS:
 Poses psychological challenges to the children in the family.
 It increases the vulnerability of those left behind in countries
of origin.
 The elderly, such as grandparents, are left with additional
responsibilities like taking care of their grandchildren.
 Because working abroad cannot be avoided, it should be clear to
family members that they need to be strong and therefore find
new and creative way to maintain and develop relationship even
across borders.
 Another challenge is the simple access to pensions and health

insurance. Though some have these benefits in their work
contract, most do not have access at all or are given privileges.
 Possibility loss in sense of identity and belonging for some
individuals. Migrants may also absorb or assimilate the ideas,
culture, and tradition of their respective host countries.

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TRANSNATIONAL

More than a million Filipinos every year leave to work

The presence of Filipino throughout most of the world’s

 OCWs or overseas contract workers are those who work on a

 Migrants have gained economic and political influence mainly

 Another challenge is the simple access to pensions and health

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