For many years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been one of top favorite destinations for Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs in general. Lured by the meantime higher pay and better prospects, countless Filipinos have left their country to look for lucrative opportunities. For many OFWs in the UAE, however, reality is much less ideal.
Most Filipinos leave the country to work abroad due in great part with inadequate jobs and their low pay inside the Philippines. The growth of the Philippine economy may be brisk, but it is still marred by problems such as unemployment and underemployment coupled with low wages. Many Filipinos think that the only way out of poverty is to work abroad and send remittance back home.
The challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United Arab Emirates are distinct. Even if the standard of living in the United Arab Emirates is higher than in the Philippines, there are costs associated with it. Even though their pay is relatively substantial, many OFWs struggle to make ends meet. Their income is heavily consumed by the high costs of housing, food, and transportation; many find it difficult to save money or send money home.
Moreover, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are used to work long hours in jobs that also require manual labor like here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They are not protected enough, they will be used and discriminated against. Also many upon returning OFW experience loneliness and homesickness from being apart of their families.
Many Filipinos still brave this as taught by the common testament of millions working abroad here in UAE and other parts of the globe. Their remittances have been crucial for many families in the Philippines where they are used largely to support education, healthcare and other basic needs back home. Regardless, we must not forget the labors of our OFWs and aim for a better society in both ends —the UAE and back home. — Alevem E. Moralde, OFW base in Abu Dhabi, UAE
