As one of the world’s largest exporters of labor, Filipinos are spread all over the earth’s lands and seas. Thus, as war rages on in several parts of the globe, a good number of Filipinos’ lives are definitely at risk. Such is a sad reality that we, as a nation, shall perpetually face. So that, today, as we secure the lives of our brothers and sisters from war-torn countries, some sectors are pointing an accusing finger on the alleged government-sponsored human capital flight or “diaspora”, which means dispersal, as the Greeks call it.
Originally, human capital flight was coined to describe emigration of scientists or technologists from war-torn Europe to the United States of America. The same trend continues and is growing in number. This time, however, most emigrants are coming from the developing countries in Asia. While it is true that sources of human capital have shifted, the USA remains the favorite destination. Consequently, it continues to reap the benefits of a brain gain while the rest of the world had to make the most of the little benefits out of a brain drain.
Brain drain has now broadened in scope. While it was limited to scientists and technologists in the 50s and the 60s for Europeans, for the Philippines it encompassed migration of construction workers to the Middle East in the 70s.
Today, however, not only are medical practitioners have made long queues in the offices of the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency, first-class (soundly-educated teachers) domestic helpers are squeezing in as well in droves. While they belonged to different echelons, they all have one common goal-better financial reward. In truth, therefore, brain drain has been the downside of the seemingly government-sponsored economic migration.
No less than the United Nations recognized the significance of economic migration. In fact, it has regularly sponsored a global forum for migrant workers. In 2009, we had the opportunity to host its second staging. Attended by no less than UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, then, a bunch of self-proclaimed liberators (the ideologues) of the “oppressed dollar-earners” have called the forum a useless summit of “modern-day slavery.”
Whatever their perceptions were, let’s leave it as-plainly theirs. However, to the misinformed men and women who are totally devoid of ideological biases, a clearer picture is necessary for better judgment. The truth is, with over 10 million Filipinos abroad, the Philippines is among the top four labor exporting countries. The other countries being India, China and Mexico. Majority, however, are in the USA and are mostly health professionals. The Middle Eastern countries and other continents likewise have played hosts to some health professionals, IT experts, construction engineers and workers as well as caregivers.
Ironically though, some of our skilled workers went to our Southeast Asian neighbors. If we should examine closely, they are working with, basically, foreign-owned (not owned by locals in these countries) companies. Among others, these are owned by foreign direct investors from the European Union, Japan, China, Hong Kong, USA, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan and India. The question is, if these investors poured their money in the countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, then, our OFWs should have stayed here, an ASEAN member state. Isn’t it?
Unfortunately, however, among foreign investors in the ASEAN, we are least likely chosen. We are among the least preferred countries in the ASEAN in terms of foreign direct investments. The fact is, weighed against that of other key countries in the ASEAN, ours will surely pale in comparison. For one, in 2013, we were miles away from our Southeast Asian neighbors. With just US$3.859 billion in net FDI inflow, we were among the laggards at a disappointing 6th place. Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Viet Nam grabbed US$60.645 billion, US$18.444 billion, US$13.000 billion, US$12.297 billion, and US$8.900, respectively. The main reason-the apparent lack of incentives.
Thus, as we remain in the tail end in terms of FDIs, economic migrants (my preferred term for OFWs) shall grow in huge numbers day by day. They shall all be compelled to do it for the lack of opportunities or choices. Choices that they have to make, generally, for their families’ future. Or, specifically, they had to do it to provide their children the best education available.
To some extent though, they had to go to give their families a kind of economic well-being that they perceived better than that of their neighbors. Or, in some instances, is brought about by that burning desire to outsize and dwarf an unfriendly neighbor’s mansion.
Indeed, there could be thousands of reasons why they had to leave this country to earn somewhere else. Whatever their individual reasons are, we don’t know and we need not have to know. Certainly, however, they simply would like to live better lives. Therefore, if they can find it here, they won’t leave. It’s a no brainer. foabalos@yahoo.com