OFW

In the Philippines Overseas Filipino Workers has become known as their greatest export. More than 11 million or over 11% of the total population is working abroad. A google search can tell you approximate how many in each country. The female percentage is higher than males working abroad for different reasons. It appears some places or individuals target the females for scrupulous reasons. Just recently 61 OFW's were repatriated to the Philippines from one of the Middle Eastern countries. Most are household or maid workers who became victims of non-payment of salary, fatigue, lack of food, physical, verbal or sexual abuse.  Sun Star had reported one Filipina beaten because she could not understand the language of her employer. In Kuwait many had to escape, seeking temporary refuge at the (FWRC) Filipino Workers Resource Center.

Some area's have given nicknames to OFW's as did Liverpool, England. Calling it Little Manila. In the U.S. Filipino's are the second largest Asian group, thus; Tagalog is the 5th most spoken language. OFW's have sent back over $15 billion in remittances according to Philippine Banks.

In the search for greener pastures how many OFW's come to the United States? Not many..
I can remember when the U.S. used to bring nurses here because of the shortage. It was under the Nurse Relief act of 1989 but was stopped in 1995. The shortage of nurses here in USA is worse then ever now that the 78 million baby boomers are retiring. The H-1c Nurse work visa program was again authorized by congress through the Nursing relief for Disadvantaged area Act of 1999.  It expired in 2005. There are currently no specific nursing visa available.

Still, ironically as the shortage continues in USA, the Philippines has an over supply. President Obama said it makes no sense to recruit from abroad when we can train our own people for the job. But this will take years, causing unbearable work conditions for those already working and a lack of care will result for everyone. A lot of aid workers lack the skills needed as I witness first hand. I recently started seeing a Chiropractor and he is also the receptionist, nurse, doctor all in one. I observed him answering phone, work the front desk and care for his patients all at the same time, for he is the only employee there. Hard to believe he can't find a helper for these simple tasks.

Not all hope is lost, there is still a way for Filipino's to apply. The H-1B work visa for skilled workers still exists. There is a whole article about it with info at www.workpermit.com. There are large nursing homes and long term care facilities recruiting from the Philippines. A new joke amongst Filipino Doctors is "what's the new prerequisites for getting into nursing school"? An MD.. Filipino Doctors are going back to school to become nurses instead. However, the Philippine Embassy has reported one problem is a long waiting list. Some have waited 7 years. Companies have had a hard time getting the visa released in some cases. 

So who want to go to nursing school and become a nurse? Probably a great idea..