With all the prices of the basic commodities going up, whereas our take home pay does not compensate the current rising cost of living. Moreover, the peace and order situation is also declining. Considering to work abroad to seek for a greener pasture is one of the most ardent solution that Filipinos can think of.
The promise of a higher salary across the boarder versus the Philippines compensation + the high cost of living is really enticing our kababayan to work abroad.
My family is not an exemption. Four years ago, my husband left for Saudi to work as Overseas Foreign Worker (OFW). Making us a official “Pamilyang OFW”.
It was not an easy decision to make, since all of the information that we gathered that time were all based on hearsays and third party recounts. That is why I thought of writing this entry, so others may learn from our experiences as an OFW and Pamilyang OFW. This is my advocacy to share the good and the bad side of it. So that others may or may not consider to be a Pamilyang OFW.
Working abroad is not a cup of tea for everyone. What may be a success to you will be a failure to others. In other words, what may work for Juan, may not work for Pedro.
If you are considering to be an OFW, consider this first. It may not necessarily happen but there is a possibility that it might occur.
- The promise of goodlife – one reason why there is a surge of Filipino migrants working abroad is the hope of augmenting the life of their family. This is true, since my family gained financial freedom since he became an OFW. But not everyone is as lucky as we can be. There are many “Flor Contemplacion” who had remain to be an unsung hero. The other day, I was able to watched a documentary of TJ Manotoc at Channel 2 about the sad plight of Filipina duped to work abroad illegally.
You might think that I am discouraging you or putting fear in your heart. No I am not, I just want you to take extra caution in your transactions. Always ensure that you have authentic papers, the recruitment agency is duly listed in POEA and have a legit job order. If ever you have chosen to become an OFW, make sure to enlist in OWWA, so that whatever happen you might have some fallback, and hopefully government support.I will be giving in more thoughts and share experiences to ponder in my next blogpost.
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The Title : Considering to be an OFW, Consider This (Part 1)
I have intentionally classified it as Part 1 since I will be writing about the different facets in the life of an OFW and his family (Parenting, Married life, Illicit relationships, and more that I can think of). In other words expect to have a series of related posts for this topic.
(photo credits : http://ofw-bagongbayani.com/)
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Yup, Sometimes I admit it does come to my mind. If is didn’t have a family I wouldn’t have second thoughts with going, but just the thought of leaving behind my son and wife makes me sad, so I’m just working twice as hard to earn more.
Siguro kung nasa pinas kami hindi namin kayang ibigay lahat sa mga bata ang kung ano man meron sila ngayon. Mahirap pero kailangan.
Di bale, ilang years na lang at hindi na mag-iisa si allan.
hi noel,
it really is a hard decision to make, but it seems na talagang walang palad ang aking hubby sa work dito sa Pinas.kaya kayod tlg for the kids.
Ann,
same with our family, siguro kung hindi nag abroad si allan hindi na kami makakatulong sa aming mga magulang at kapatid.
imagine ang tataas na ng bilihin, ang bigas halos mag40 pesos na…
Mahirap tlg ang buhay ng isang OFW, maraming sacrifices on both party.Kaya pamilya ng OFW dapat pahalagahan ang paghihirap na dinadanas nila n malayo sa pamilya at mahal nila s buhay…
hi there… I am testing if I can already post a comment. If this will be posted, great! I have been having problems with my browser lately. I do hope it is fixed now. Anyway, I would just like to say na bilib ako sa yo at sa husband mo. Making a marriage work habang malayo ang isa is not easy. Pero ang hirap nga din naman kung magkakasama tapos gutom. Sa case ko naman, habang kaya pa, wala munang lalayo. Sana lang naman ay umayos na ang ekonomiya natin. Hay, ang buhay nga naman nating mga pinoy…
definitely agree. not all ofw are lucky. and kahit naman ok sahod may kaakibat pa rin na sakripisyo. not only to the person going abroad but also the family that is left behind.