Gains on brain drain f

Had a meeting two days ago with two German businessmen who wish to invite Filipinos to work in Germany. While, currently, the recruitment for Germany is more on healthcare professionals, they shall put some emphasis on technical jobs. Welders, masons, tile setters, pipelayers and other related jobs. Thus, whether we like it or not, another wave of diaspora is imminent. Undeniably, therefore, brain drain will remain.

To those who may not be aware of it, brain drain is “the emigration of highly trained or intelligent people from a particular country.” Without delving in, it seems that brain drain is bad.

Undeniably, brain drain or the migration of highly skilled professionals will surely have negative effects especially on us. Notably, we are one of the largest exporters of labor in the world. As a consequence of globalization, it has adverse effects on the exporting nation. Obviously, when a skilled worker departs, the country is deprived of such important skill. Thereby, preventing business growth and consequently, national development. Not to mention the person’s innovative ways that might help propel the country’s research and development initiatives. Also, as the nation’s development rests largely on the general wellbeing of its workforce, the departure of healthcare professionals is also a big concern.

Worse, as our state colleges and universities are now free, it simply means we (a poor country) are investing so much (through taxpayers’ money) in developing our human capital yet another country (an affluent one) shall reap the benefits of it.

Reportedly, a research on migration patterns between the 1960s and 1990s “indicates that high levels of skilled migration contributed to slowing the economic growth and development of the sending countries.” Thus, the sending countries (poor) become poorer and the recipient (affluent) countries go richer.

However, is brain drain all bad?  As a starter, let’s take a look at what happened earlier this year. Sometime February, DOF Secretary Ralph Recto reported that the December 2023 Labor Force Survey results showed that the Philippines “recorded a historic-low unemployment rate, declining underemployment, and faster growth in the labor force––all reflecting the continued improvement of the country’s jobs market and quality of employment for Filipinos.”  Overall, the employment rate rose to 96.9% in December 2023 from 95.7% in the same period in 2022,” he added.

Moving forward, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), while unemployment rate rose a bit earlier in July at 4.7%, it went down to 4% in August or just 2.07 million are jobless. This also means that the “employment rate is currently at 96%, which translates to 49.15 million employed individuals.”

Actually, one of the reasons of this improving employment rate is the departure of some workers. This is so as businesses will always look for replacement of departing workers within the country. Probably, these workers used to be among the jobless statistics. Yes, while it is true that productivity maybe affected, it won’t be that long. With proper training, the workers can effectively cope with the demands of their jobs. Obviously, another positive effect.

Another obvious benefit is foreign exchange generation. Remember, we’ve always hailed our Overseas Filipino Works (OFWs) as the unsung heroes. Absolutely, that is true. Just imagine how devalued our currency could have been against the dollar had it not for their remittances.  As a country that imports a lot (including rice), prices of basic commodities should have skyrocketed.

With the remittances, dependents or children of these OFWs will also have better chances of having good education. That in turn will also help replenish those who brought their skills abroad.

If managed properly by the spouses or parents, the same remittances can be used to start their own businesses. Thus, helping generate labor and contribute in nation building through taxes.

Undeniably though, the most positive gain is through a “reverse brain drain.” That after acquiring skills, they return to the country and use their expertise. This is nothing new though.  Since several decades ago, the Thai government has been implementing the ‘Reverse Brain Drain Project’ to counter the flow of skilled professionals. So, never wonder why they have better economy than us.  Never wonder why Google plans “to invest $1 billion to build data centers in Thailand, joining global tech companies in adding cloud and AI infrastructure in Southeast Asia.”

Just like Thailand, we should launch the same project in the country. That way, just like Thailand, progress will be as clear as daylight.