12 UP FORUM Volume 13 No. 5 September-October 2012
THE UP FORUM ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON THE SOCIAL COST OF LABOR MIGRATION GERA: With the increasing integration of world economies, labor migration and its impact on development has become an imperative agenda for nation-states and global partnerships. With international labor migration, we see economic gains being enjoyed by both countries of origin and destination. Receiving countries benefit in terms of meeting labor supply requirements (i.e. cost-efficient manpower and skills) for their changing labor market needs. Sending countries gain much in terms of employment opportunities, as in the case of the Philippines. About 10 million of our people couldn’t be effectively absorbed by the local job market, with 7 percent unemployment rate and
Weena Gera, PhD Assistant Professor, Political Science Program UP Cebu Postdoctoral Research Fellow Institute for Sustainability and Peace United Nations University underemployment rate rising to 22.7 percent as of July (NEDA/NSO, 2012). The remittances they bring in substantially contribute to the country’s gross national product (GNP), social services and its consumptiondriven economy. More and more women have also been provided opportunities for economic participation through labor migration. But there is the other side of the equation: the social costs of labor migration. Human rights violations
migration have become prevalent. Many unprotected and undocumented labor migrants, particularly among the unskilled and the poorly educated, become acutely vulnerable to human trafficking and various exploitative practices, including unscrupulous recruitment activities from both labor-sending and laborreceiving countries. Many migrant workers, often by lack of guidance or desperation, continue to use informal channels that either cost them
"UP can also extend its arm in the building and sharing of knowledge through interregional dialogue on labor migration among its academic counterparts in the developing region." and labor exploitation have been reported against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). These are in the form of unjust compensation and lack of labor welfare protection in certain host countries, as well as psychological stresses and physical abuse. The breakdown of family units is also symptomatic of such costs. Moreover, cases of illegal labor
their source of living or put their lives at risk. The University of the Philippines, as a highly regarded academic institution in the country, should position itself in mitigating such challenges within the framework of its mandate. UP can contribute to the process of institutionalizing a more continued on page 18
PAUNLAGI: The weakening global economic situation among European Union countries and the geopolitical tension in some Middle East countries were thought to lead to a reduction in the number of Filipinos working abroad. However, this did not happen. The approved job orders for Filipino workers who applied for work abroad numbered 527,370 in August 2012 (Remo, 2012). Similarly, remittances rose to $11.94 billion in the same month, 5.2 percent higher than the $11.35 billion in 2011. Remittances are considered a key factor in the health of the Philippine economy. They not only add to the foreign exchange reserves, the current account, and deposits in the banking system (PDI, 2012) but they also help alleviate poverty. Families receiving remittances invest more in housing, education, and health care. However there are also social costs. Children of overseas migrant workers are quite vulnerable to significant psychological, educational, and social challenges (Capelloni, 2011). They also experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, and even depression. The study of Edillion (2008) found that school-age children from Filipino OFW families have greater capacity to attend school and are more achievers than children of non-OFW parents. NonOFW children, however, tend to be happier and more active in socio-economic organizations than OFW children. Edillon reported that OFW children want more attention. There is a greater need to address the emotional needs of OFW children. The school is a place where values and skills learned at home by OFW children should be strengthened or improved. With the absence of the parents, guardians and caregivers can be the school’s ally in imparting values to the children. This is where the University of the Philippines can contribute to lessen the social cost of migration, both at the policy and implementation levels. At the policy level, the UP through its policy and governance units can suggest reforms to enrich the curriculum for teachers by integrating
Q.
Merlyne M. Paunlagui, PhD University Researcher III and Director Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies College of Public Affairs and Development UP Los Baños issues on migration and its effects on the children, particularly those who are left behind by OFW parents. These policies can then be included in the production of teaching materials and in the training of teachers. Moreover, university extension units can design short-term training programs for school officials to be sensitive to the situation of OFW children. Officials and teachers can be trained to recognize signs of psychological problems affecting them and to understand threats confronting families that are breaking up due to physical separation. continued on page 18