Labor Migration

The website aims to inform primarily pre-med majors of the Loyola Schools because they are the ones who are most likely to join the health care sector in the future. Information on labor migration may influence any decisions they have about working abroad. The website also aims to give the rest of the Ateneo community general information on labor migration, in hopes that such information will be passed on to concerned parties.

Statistics

• One nurse caters to 30 � 50 patients.
• There is one nurse for every 16,273 Filipinos.
• There is approximately one nurse for every nine barangays in the Philippines.
• Average salary of nurses in 2003 9,000 pesos monthly
• Average salary of nurses working in the province 4,000-5,000 pesos monthly
• Salary abroad: 3,000 � 4,000 DOLLARS monthly (That�s 165,000 � 220,000 PESOS monthly!)
• In the UK and Northern Ireland: 10,000 doctors and 20,000 nurses
• In the United States: 1 million nurses in the next 10 years
• In Australia: Dependency on overseas doctors
• Every year, an average of 5,000 out of 8,000 nurses leave the country.
  2,000 of these were former doctors.
• Out of the 178,045 nurses that are in demand:
  150,865 (84.75%) go abroad
  27,160 (15.25%) stay in the country
• From 1995 to 2000, the POEA deployed 33,964 nurses. (In a span of 5 years)
  From January to August 2002, 7,855 nurses were deployed. (In a span of 8 years)

Nurse Sector

Reasons for taking up Nursing

1. Nursing is in demand.
2. It�s practical.
3. Many opportunities.
4. Great financial rewards and benefits.
5. Not time-consuming.

Reasons for practicing Nursing abroad

1. More benefits there.
2. Higher salaries.
3. Nurses are looked down upon here.

Advantages of Medical Profession Abroad

1. High-tech facilities.
2. Methods of treatment are more advanced.
3. Benefits in government hospitals: hygiene, no hazards, client-centered.

Reasons for making them stay in the Philippines

1. Improve the medical services.
2. Increase the salaries.
3. Update the facilities and procedures.

Public Sector

Survey Results (of 78 correspondents)

Have you heard of Labor Migration?

1. News
2. Mass Media
3. Friends
4. Relatives
5. Internet

Do you personally know anyone who chose to work abroad?

1. Higher salaries.
2. Better living conditions.
3. Better compensation.
4. Greener pastures.
5. A better future.

Would you consider working abroad, given the chance?

1. Higher salaries & better compensation.
2. Higher standards of living.
3. Chance to work in a different environment.
4. Enough experience to acquire new knowledge.

Why would you stay in the Philippines?

1. Still some good options here.
2. Patriotism: be of service to ownr country and not to a foreign land.
3. Family ties: hard to be separated from loved ones.
4. It�s lonely abroad.

Advantages of Labor Migration

1. Allows the individual to earn a living and support his/her family.
2. Able to remit dollars into the country.

Disadvantages of Labor Migration

1. Country loses efficient workers.
2. Working abroad breaks up families.
3. Children grow up without the love and values parents should give.
4. Workers are not totally secure because of differences in culture and working conditions.

Is Labor Migration an issue to worry about?

1. Lack of skilled doctors and nurses have downgraded the services of hospitals.
2. Reflects a loss of confidence in the country, and the government�s shortcomings.
3. Reflects a poor economy.
4. Foreign countries benefit.

Why shouldn't the country worry about Labor Migration?

1. Government should address graft and corruption instead.
2. Many graduates every year that can replace those who go abroad.

Government Sector

PAST and PRESENT EFFORTS of the GOVERNMENT

Government Agencies

1. Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA)
   - This agency was created in 1982 through Executive Order 797 to promote and monitor the overseas employment of Filipino workers. As the government agency responsible for optimizing the benefits of the country�s overseas employment program, the POEA�s mission is �to ensure decent and productive employment for Overseas Filipino Workers.� The agency envisions itself to be a culturally sensitive, customer-driven and business-oriented advocate of the overseas Filipino workers� well-being.
   - In 1995, Republic Act 8042 defined specific policy thrusts for POEA in the light of emerging issues. These include the guarantee of migrant workers� rights, rules on illegal recruitment, repatriation of workers and various other ways of aiding OFWs and their families.
   - The POEA also has Regional Centers and Extension Units. The Regional Centers conduct pre-departure orientation seminars and pre-employment orientation seminars, process travel documents, organize anti-illegal recruitment campaigns and assist in the conduct of jobs fairs. The Regional Extension Units are tasked to assist in provincial recruitment, provide welfare and legal assistance.
   
   
2. Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)
   - An attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment, the OWWA is the lead membership welfare institution that serves the interest and welfare of member-overseas Filipino workers. is the lead membership welfare institution that serves the interest and welfare of member-overseas Filipino workers. Its task is to develop and implement responsive programs and services, while ensuring fund viability, towards the protection of the interest and promotion of the welfare of its member- OFWs.
   - Membership in OWWA may be obtained in two ways. One is registration via contractor or employer, the second is by voluntary enrollment at job sites. For a US$25.00 membership contribution, an OWWA member is entitled to benefits such as health care insurance, loan guarantee funds which financially aid the OFW and their families, training programs and social welfare for the OFW and their families.

The 1987 Constitution and other laws