As of 2019, there were over 12 million Filipinos overseas working or residing as citizens in other countries. Many have called them modern day heroes.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are claimed to be the country’s modern-day heroes. There are many reasons why they are called so, below are the top five.
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Why OFWs are modern day heroes.
OFWs provide strong remittance inflows.
The Philippines is the 4th largest recipient of foreign remittances. Generally speaking, remittances from OFWs favor the country’s economic development by playing a role in alleviating poverty and creating a stable cash flow and circulation. Remittances from OFWs have not only secured the basic needs of their own families but also have kept the country’s economy afloat by providing liquidity amid global financial crises. Remittance from OFWs is the 2nd largest source of the country’s foreign reserves.
OFWs are often employed in poor working conditions.
Because many are still unable to find a job in the Philippines because of poor educational background and lack of working experience, many Filipinos go out of the country to sustain their family’s basic needs in the face of low wages and long hours of work, not to mention women who are mainly employed as caregivers and domestic helpers. Despite poor employment conditions, many Filipinos choose to work patiently overseas to provide their families with adequate nutrition and sustain other needs.
OFWs suffer from separation away from family.
One of the biggest sacrifices that an OFW may face is a disconnection with their families, that is when they are not present on their children’s birthdays; when they cannot go home to take care of sick parents; or when they miss their friend’s funeral.
OFWs endure the unhealthy effect of loneliness and homesickness.
The emotional consequences of Filipinos working overseas — homesickness and loneliness — can be very hard to get over especially for those who are young and first-timers. OFWs bear these emotional scars just to earn money for their families. Filipinos are known for closed family ties and not seeing their loved ones for two to three years is extremely excruciating.
OFWs give up the value of ‘family’ to make a living. Working abroad is a big sacrifice.
It is both physically and mentally agonizing to be separated from families for a long time without assurance of what lies ahead and what risks await you abroad. Regrettably, several OFWs return to their country on dead bodies. These people are victims of terrorism, poor working conditions, and unjust treatment. The news has it. Many Filipinos are molested and executed in a foreign land in an attempt to defend themselves and save their lives.
OFWs experience different types of hardships – physical, mental, social, and emotional.
For a number of reasons, OFWs are considered modern-day heroes — if not martyrs — not only for their love for their families but more importantly, their significant contributions to the country’s economy.
Sana po may batas na magbibigay ng benepisyo sa mga OFW sakaling sila ay magretire na o makauwi ng bansa ng hidi inaasahan..marami kami mga ofw na tumanda na sa pagaabroad at madami din sa amin na umuwi ng luhaan o nabigo at pagdating ng pinas di na makahanap ng trabaho dahil sa katandaan…kung kami ay tinataw na modern herose..sana bigyang pansin kami pagdating ng araw.
Parang mali ang total figures po ng OFWs. Sa pagkaka-alam ko, parang lumagpas na tayo sa 8 million mark total OFWs sa buong mundo. Or baka naman sa 2012 deployment lang ang sinasabi nyo? I stand corrected of course.
As what was clearly describe on the written article, OFW contributed a lot to the Philippine Economic Growth… on the contrary, does the Philippine government have done something in return even in form of services?Instead, what we received from our government…..If you are a balik manggaawa (returning (OFW) you are bringing a 40 inches flat TV, the custom examiner will declare your baggage as taxable items and they will let you pay more than the original price of said items. Is the present government leaders are not aware of what was happening in their respective agency or they are just deaf and blind?Bato bato sa langit ang tamaan wag magagalit. Embassy natin sa labas ng bansa such as Qatar, walang sariling photo copier machine……May nakapost na working hours pero hindi naman sinusunod ng mga embassy employees…..Meron kunyaring pila pero kapag may kakilala ay hindi na pumipila at kapag nasita ay sila pa ang nagagalit! Yan ang klase ng mga employees natin sa government na mula nuon at hanggang ngayon ay nanatiling bulok at umaalingasaw na sistema.
Remittances provide financial liquidity to country. However, true economic progress based on the increase in the country production which is GDP. Remittances contributes to GNP which does not distinguish between qualitative improvements in the state and quantitative increase in goods . Virtually all other countries have adopted GDP as measure of true economic growth.
Income of OFW are part of the GDP of the countries they worked. A genuine economic growth must came within our boundaries Government priority to increase production eventually income.
Remittances provide financial liquidity to country. However, true economic progress based on the increase in the country production which is GDP. Remittances contributes to GNP which does not distinguish between qualitative improvements in the state and quantitative increase in goods . Virtually all other countries have adopted GDP as measure of true economic growth.
Income of OFW are part of the GDP of the countries they worked. A genuine economic growth must came within our boundaries Government priority to increase production eventually income.
The OFWs sustain the countries economy therefore the Phil government should also protect those OFWs in their plight to sustain the living conditions of their respective families too.
salamat LORD at may OFW malaking tulong po tayo sa bansa natin at maiipag malaki . tayo po ang tunay na BAYABI . bawat isa sa atin kapag umalis na ng bansa natin LORD
sayo po namin pinaoobaya ang lahat especialy ang familya namin , at ang papasukin naming bagong kapalaran sa labas ng bansa , kalamitan po sa aming mga OFW ay omuwe na ng may katandaan na . para lang sa pamilya , at ang masakit jan , sa loob ng maraming taon nayan , ang kalimitan sa mga OFW omuwe ng may mga karamdam dahil sa pagod at pangungulila sa familya ,, at pray ko po na bigyan ng pansin ng gobyerno natin na yong mga may katandaan na na omuwe ay bigyan nila ng award bilang ISANG TUNAY NA BAYANI , NG BANSA