Labor’s true sentiments

We can expect the usual red flag-waving swarm of self-professed nationalists and labor groups with their battle cry of higher wages to keep the police busy this Labor Day. The big question, though, is whether the majority of our Filipino workers are paying attention to this kind of mass action.

Today, more and more of our labor force are packing their bags for jobs abroad. Heck, even Filipino priests are being lured in hordes to more prosperous parishes in the US. No wonder then that the numbers of overseas working Filipinos composed now of health care professionals, engineers, airline pilots, school teachers, and other skilled workers in the construction industry continue to bloat.

Obviously, the primary reason for this exodus is the higher pay and better perks abroad that our workers locally cannot get in their own country. Filipinos have come to realize that there is a vast world of opportunity outside our 7,100 islands that can give them a better life. And they’re not waiting for that "mandated" wage increase.

Meantime, those left behind without the necessary skills or competences are forced to face the harsh realities of a sluggish local economy – fewer available jobs and lower salary levels. That, or upgrade their current proficiency levels to be eligible for those overseas jobs.

Carpenters, plumbers leaving

And this is exactly what is happening to our skilled workers. The day may come when we may not even have enough skilled construction workers like pipe fitters and plumbers to work on major local projects.

Aside from our engineers, competent Filipino construction workers by the thousands are landing jobs in overseas projects. In the same 2006 National Manpower Summit, the POEA bared that it received over 100,000 job orders for construction workers from 2001 to 2005.

During the same period, a total of 58,240 construction workers, mostly carpenters, plumbers and pipe fitters were deployed and landed jobs in overseas projects. The disparity between the job orders and the actual number of workers sent is an indication, according to the POEA, of the shortage of highly skilled construction workers in the country.

This trend, just like in nursing, shows no signs of slowing down. POEA expects to receive more job orders for construction workers due to the construction boom in Malaysia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and even Australia, which by the way offers immigrant status to interested and qualified construction workers under its new immigration program.

The $26.6-billion King Abdullah Economic City in the Middle East plus new hotel and resort projects in the Bahamas and other countries are sure to have thousands of Filipinos on these job sites.

Lining up for land down under

As if the current massive exodus of professionals and skilled workers is not enough, Australia – already a favorite destination of Filipino migrants the past decade – has thrown its doors wide open for thousands of migrant professionals in numerous fields.

As a First World country that is relatively located closer to home than the US, Canada or the UK, this move is just too inviting for many of our exasperated and underpaid professionals, who incidentally are also sick and tired of the continuing and seemingly unproductive political squabbles.

The Australian government came up with the Migration Occupations In Demand List (MODL) to attract more skilled foreign workers, and meet the demand of Australia’s emerging industries in less populous but developing regions. The process of migrating has become easier and faster for many Filipinos and their families.

Other than the usual list of health care and allied health care professionals, the MODL includes, among others air-conditioning technicians, hairdressers, social workers, teachers, construction workers, cooks, lawyers, drivers, and machine operators. You name it, and there’s a possible job opening.

Addressing the brain drain

It seems the government is now content on relying on the billions of green bucks remitted by millions of OFWs to prop our sagging economy. Never mind if we have lost so many of our skilled workers who should be serving in our hospitals, schools, manufacturing facilities, and yes, even churches.

Our best and brightest professionals are getting out of the country, leaving behind the problem of fewer competent health care workers, teachers, government and other private sector professionals needed to provide the necessary inputs to grow our moribund economy.

Since many years back, much has been said and proposed to address the growing concern over the country’s massive loss of skilled professionals. There was even a proposal in the legislature to compel health workers to a mandatory three years of domestic service before they are allowed to seek employment overseas.

Recently, during the 2006 National Manpower Summit, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) even declared that the government will "conduct an inventory" of industries threatened by the loss of highly skilled workers due to overseas employment or migration.

Under the plan, once an industry is classified as critical due to manpower shortage, the POEA would require workers from the said industry to give local employers a six-month grace period before their papers are processed. This way, those leaving or migrating would hopefully be able to train their possible successors.

This line of thinking, of course, could be more wishful thinking. After all, would it really be possible to transfer competence and years of experience in just six months, and enable those who will be left behind to take on the vacated jobs to provide the same level of service?

True labor spirit

If there is anything substantial that we can glean from today’s May 1 Labor Day celebrations, it is the grim realization that street protests may no longer be the answer to the problems that our labor force face. They are tired of harking on government to help them. Instead, they have opted to help themselves, i.e., by finding work abroad. At what cost to our economic and social fiber? Only time will tell.

Rebuilding an old fishing village

Navotas, previously a sleepy fishing village, is now a municipality bursting at its seams. With population growing and economic activities remaining upbeat, the ageing infrastructure and basic facilities are barely able to withstand the increasing pressure of demand.

What are the plans to rebuild Navotas? What are the options available to accommodate the expanding need for basic services and facilities? Is city-hood the solution to Navotas‚ growing pains?

"Breaking Barriers" on IBC-TV13 (11 p.m. every Wednesday) will feature on Wednesday, 3rd May 2006, Mayor "Toby" Tiangco of the municipality of Navotas. Join us break barriers and gain insights into the views of Mayor Tiangco on issues related to the growth and development of Navotas and its surrounding areas. Watch it.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected] or at [email protected]. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz