The role of labor migration and foreign employment in Philippine society

Social and economic significance

Labor migration and Employment abroad are central pillars of Philippine society and economy. The Philippines is considered one of the world's most important countries of origin for migrant workers. The phenomenon affects almost all areas of life:

• Over one million Filipinos leave the country every yearto work abroad, especially in the caring professions, as domestic helpers, seamen, construction workers, doctors or engineers^1.
• The Philippine government actively promotes labor migration and has established a comprehensive support network for migrants^1.
• Remittances (remittances) are the country's most important foreign exchange earner and account for around 9-10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) out. In 2023, these amounted to around 39 billion US dollars^3^5.

Social impact

• For many families, labor migration is the only way to escape poverty. The remittances secure their livelihood, finance education, health and investments^6.
• The social appreciation for so-called "Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) is high; they are considered the "new heroes" of the nation^8.
• However, migration also has its downsides: It leads to family stress, separations, and in individual cases to social problems such as loneliness or loss of identity among children^9.

How many families live from remittances?

The number of families directly and indirectly affected is enormous:

• The proportion of households living off remittances is particularly high in structurally weak regions such as the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (up to 24%)^10.
• The funds are mainly used for everyday expenses, education and debt repayment; investments are rare^6.

Conclusion

Labor migration and employment abroad are indispensable for Philippine society. They ensure the survival of millions of families and are a central element of the national economy. At the same time, they create social dependencies and present families and society with major challenges^1^2.

Supplementary assessment from a Gradido perspective

The compilation impressively shows how central labor migration and foreign employment are for Philippine society and the economy. The figures speak for themselves: a large part of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on members of their family finding work abroad - the so-called "Overseas Filipino Workers" form the backbone of the livelihood of millions.

Key aspects from Gradido's point of view:

• Solidarity and the common good: The high esteem in which the "new heroes" are held shows a deep culture of mutual support, but also how much the common good depends on external factors. The remittances alleviate hardship and improve quality of life, but - because they mostly cover everyday costs - they cannot bring about lasting systemic change.
• Social downsides: Many families are weakened by separation and emotional strain, children grow up without parents, and entire generations experience themselves as part of a "world of temporary farewells". The human cost of this dependency is immeasurable.
• Dependence and lack of local perspectives: The massive remittances may provide short-term relief, but in many cases they inhibit local development and promote a permanent situation of dependency on foreign countries.

Opportunities from the Gradido perspective: With a public welfare-oriented system like Gradido, regional value creation could be strengthened so that local people have better opportunities for living and development. The power of Filipino solidarity could be used to establish new perspectives, local community projects and sustainable economic cycles - so that fewer people are forced to leave their homes.

Our common goal must be to create conditions in which people can fully develop their dignity and happiness in life - in community, in their country, in security.