Global Migration
Global migration is a complex phenomenon that tackles on a municipality of
economic, social, security, and several aspects affecting our daily lives in a rapidly
interconnecting world. On the other hand, migration encompasses a large varies of
movements and situations involving people. Migration is embroiled with geopolitics,
trade, and cultural exchange and provides opportunities for several countries,
business, communities, and cultures to benefit in a grana manner.
Since the earliest times, humanity has been on the move. Some people move in
search of labor or economic opportunities, to join family or to study. However, not
all migration happens in positive circumstances. Others move to escape conflict,
persecution, terrorism, or human rights violations. Similarly, others move in
response to the adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters, or other
environmental factors.
Today, more people than ever before live in n a country other than the one in
which they were born. In 2017, the number of migrants reached 258 million,
compared to about 173 million in 2000. However, the proportion of international
migrants in the world population is only slightly higher than that recorded over the
past decades, equalling 3.4 percent in 2017, compared to 2.8 percent in 2000 and
2.3 percent in 1980. While many individuals migrate out of choice, many others
migrate out of necessity. There are approximately 68 million forcibly displaced
persons, including over 25 million refugees, 3 million asylum seekers and over 40
million internally displaced persons (United Nations, 2017).
Migration and the Sustainable Development Goals
Migration is one of the defining features of the 21st century. It contributes
significantly to all aspects of economic and social development everywhere, and, as
such, will be key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).
The 2030 Agenda is well placed to reflect and exploit the links between
migration and development for three reasons. First, the 2030 Agenda is the first
international development framework to include and recognize migration as a
dimension of development. The Agenda includes migration related targets and
recognizes its important contribution to sustainable development while
acknowledging the specific vulnerabilities migrants may face (UN, 2015). Second,
migration interacts with all dimensions of development. The multidisciplinary and
cross-sectoral nature of the 2030 Agenda is a useful platform to assess the impact
of migration and human mobility on a range of development issues (Lonnback,
2014).
Migrants
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a migrant is:
"any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a
State away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of (1) the person's
legal status; (2) whether the movement is voluntary or r involuntary; (3) what the
causes for the movement are; or (4) what the length of the stay is"
From this definition, two categories of migrants can be identified:
1. Labor (or economic) migrants (and family reunification)
2. Forced migrants (asylum seekers and refugees)
Forced migrants are those who are compelled to migrate due to adverse
circumstances beyond their control (i.e., war, persecution, etc.).
An asylum seeker is a person seeks safety from persecution or serious harm in a
country other than his or her own and awaits a decision on the application for
refugee status under relevant international and national instruments. In case of a
negative decision, the person must leave the country and may be expelled, unless
permission to stay is provided on humanitarian grounds.
A refugee is person who, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of
race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political
opinions, is outside the country of his/her nationality and is unable or, owing to such
fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country (Geneva
Convention, 1951, Art. 1A).
Drivers of Migration
Drivers of migration are forces which lead to the inception of migration and to
the perpetuation of movement (Massey et al., 1998). Drivers of migration include
economic, demographic factors and environmental factors, and social and political
dynamics. People may migrate to access better economic employment and
educational opportunities for themselves and their families. Some migrate due to
lack of access to fundamental human rights such as health, food, or basic
education, and due to discrimination, poverty, or separation from family. They may
move in response to crisis both natural and human-made and, increasingly, in
response to environmental change. How drivers interact in different dimensions
(scale, location, distance, and duration) affects how governments and the
international community can respond in order to effectively protect migrants,
govern migration, and harness its benefits (Geddes et al., 2012).
Some of the drivers of migration are as follows:
1. Economic and demographic drivers
Economic opportunities, demographics, and poverty/food insecurity are prime
influencers in the migration decision-making process and interact to greater or
lesser degrees, depending on the specific context, to drive migration.
In developing countries, lack of job opportunities, wage differentials, and aspirations
propel young people away from home in search of employment and income
opportunities. The informal economy accounts for 33-90 percent of total
employment, which often means low pay, hazardous working conditions, and limited
access to legal and social protection and resources, driving people toward
opportunities abroad.
2. Environmental drivers
A great number of countries identified as 'climate vulnerable’ tend to experience
high rates of emigration, so it is critical to consider as existing environment and
climate-related evidence when analyzing current migration, patterns and estimating
future flows (Wilkinson et al., 2010).
Environmental factors, including those related to climate change and natural
disasters, directly and indirectly impact vulnerability of individuals, households, and
communities may lead to migration. How climate change drives migration depends
heavily on its interaction with other factors, including the perception of risk by
affected communities, and varies among and within communities.
3. Human-made crises
Human-made crises are among the primary root causes of migration and have an
important impact on population movements more generally. The lack of respect for
international human rights and humanitarian law has compounded growing
displacement of many as a consequence of their deteriorating living conditions.
Countries where there is a high perception of corruption tend to be 'net-emigration'
countries, while countries where there are lower perceptions of corruption tend to
be 'net-immigration' countries. While corruption does not necessarily 'cause'
migration; it is more accurately seen as a contributing factor.
History of Overseas Filipino Employment
Organized labor migration from the Philippines has been in existence for at
least 400 years based on historical accounts dating as far back as the Spanish
colonial period (1521-1898), during which natives manned ships in the Manila-
Acapulco galleon trade (Samonte et al., 1995). Thereafter, there were several
notable movements mostly to the United States, facilitated by the special colonial
relationship between the two countries. However, it was not until the 1970s when
the number increased rapidly, coinciding with the construction boom in the Middle
East as a result of the rise in oil prices in 1973-1974. From a low of around 50,000
migrant workers in 1975, the Philippines has been deploying more than a million
Filipino throughout the world annually since 2005.
It then became a tradition that the Middle East, followed by the rest of Asia,
has been the destination of migrant workers. The flow of migrant workers to the rest
of Asia, especially East and Southeast Asia, in the late 1980s and early 1990s was
conditioned primarily by the labor demand of newly industrialized countries in the
region which resorted to labor importation to sustain their economic growth (Asis,
2005).
At present, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad at
anytime during the period April to September 2018 was estimated at 2.3 million.
One out of four (24.3 percent) OFWs worked in Saudi Arabia, which remained to be
the top destination of OFWs in April to September 2018. OFWS who worked in
United Arab Emirates comprised 15.7 percent. Hong Kong (6.3 percent), Kuwait (5.7
percent), Taiwan (5.5 percent) and Qatar (5.2 percent) were the other popular
destinations of OFWs. Among occupation groups, elementary occupations (37.1
percent) was the biggest group of OFWs. Other large occupation groups were
service and sales workers (18.8 percent) and plant and machine operators and
assemblers (13.8 percent). More than half of the female OFWs were elementary
occupations (58.7 percent). Among the male OFWs, the largest groups were plant
and machine operators and assemblers workers (27.8 percent) (www.psa.gov.ph).
Common Reasons Why Filipinos Work Abroad
Poverty
Poverty is an issue for a country like the Philippines. Its effects drive many
Filipinos to find opportunities for employment abroad. Ordinarily, if someone could
not find a suitable source of employment in his/her own country, then there will be
no other choice but to seek "greener pastures" abroad.
Because of these ill conditions, Filipinos were left with no choice but to go
abroad, leaving their families the hopes of having better situations. It can also be
observed by this reality that Filipinos see hope in other countries, which kind of
hope is absent in their own country.
Unemployment and Low Wages
Unemployment and low wages are prevalent in the Philippines. This
predicament is being carried even by a college graduate in the country, more so, by
those who failed to finish their education. As a result, the Filipino worker will be
compelled to search for income opportunities abroad.
In-demand jobs that normally should have a fair compensation, such as nurses,
engineers, accountants, and other professionals, are inadequately paid, as
compared with the compensation that are waiting for these professionals abroad.
Even non-skilled workers, such as housemaids and other laborers, are well
compensated abroad than professionals in the Philippines.
New graduates face the problems of high unemployment rate
and less job opportunities as well as low average salary and benefits offered
by local employers in the country. This is not to mention that job competition
increases in the country. Given these, Filipino applicants became desperate to have
jobs for lower salaries and not enjoy benefits as long as there is security of tenure.
In effect, most of the employers and businessmen exploit such situation that keeps
their businesses earn more profit at the lowest possible costs.
Enhancement of Professional Skills
Filipinos also go abroad for their due to professional development. This is due
to the reality that having a global experience gives them a career edge among any
other Filipino professionals left working in the country.
Abroad, Filipinos deal with different people from different religions, races, and
cultures, and this gives them a unique advantage. Plus, the kind or opportunities for
professional growth abroad are aplenty as compared to the Philippines. This
reinforces the findings of Natividad (2012) that Filipinos go abroad because of the
enhancement of career and professional marketability globally wherein it is stated
that nowadays, the world is very competitive that having international experience
gives Filipinos bigger career advantage among other professionals.
Curiosity
According to Natividad (2012), one of the reasons why Filipinos work abroad is
to have the experience to travel and experience abroad. Working abroad gives the
perfect opportunity for the working Filipino to travel and experience life overseas.
Filipinos personal ambitions or goals since childhood can be also drawn out as
a reason why did they chose to work abroad. It gives them the opportunity and the
confidence to pursue and realize their own ambitions. It may not seem to be a valid
reason but the same should be counted as in reality, working abroad gives Filipinos
the edge to earn more and afford them more possibilities of advancement than
what they can find in the Philippines.
Common Risks/Costs of Overseas Filipino Employment
Abuse and Violence
Both male and female OFWs are at risk of the possibility of violence, abuse,
trafficking, and false accusations. Further, the possibility for OFWS to be terminated
because of failure to meet the standard for proper work set by their employers is
more likely to occur.
The tendency of foreigners to treat Filipinos as lowly contribute to the set of
fears of the OFWs. When OFWs suffer discrimination, the lack of motivation to
complete their tasks occurs. The loss of morale and the loss of productivity also
take place. Also the lack of protection for OFWs contribute to the said lingering fear.
The most common work fears of Overseas Filipino Workers are the possibilities
of abuse and violence that can lead to severe physical injuries and even death.
Weakened Family Ties
Children who are left behind are usually not guided properly. Oftentimes both
parents are working abroad and the children would only be left under the guidance
of their grandparents and relatives. Long separation creates a hug gap between the
parents and children. The effect of parents' departures on toddlers and pre-teens
are worse.
In addition, the marital relationship between the parents are put at risk.
Abroad, several extra-marital relations can result due to the distance brought about
by overseas employment. As a result, the marital bond breaks leading to the
destruction of the family, again leading to the detriment of the children.
