During the colonial period, westerners went to the East in search of gold, spices, and other wealth. Now it is the other way around. The people of Asia, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis and Filipino women and men, among others go to the west in search of jobs that will help tide over the needs of their families.
Francis Oca, OFW based the Middle East writes about HB 387 by Congressman Roilo Golez , a bill seeking to speed up the processing and deployment of prospective overseas Filipino workers:
Congressman Golez revealed a few disturbing facts:
1. That while the Administration continues to say that the promotion of overseas employment is not part of its labor policies, Mr. Golez authored and is seeking the passage of a law that contradicts government pronouncements on this issue;
2. While the Administration says that despite the financial crisis, the country's economy has grown by x%, Congressman Golez says that the economy cannot sustain population growth. If population growth is higher than economic growth, then really there is no economic growth to speak of. This issue is a very delicate one; and
3. That labor migration is really here to stay. For how long, we do not know as yet.
It has been said many times that we, the Overseas Filipinos, have created a new middle class, which has the potential of influencing, if not directly effecting, positive changes to happen in our country.
But that potential has not been harnessed, because the Dragon in the Overseas Filipino, like Rip Van Winkle, is sound asleep and dreaming.
-31 May 2009
Sculpture of Gaullish Goddess Epona, Protector of Travellers, Horses and Riders, 50 BC - 400 AD
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