Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash
"Do working abroad can be the only answer to poverty?"
I thought to myself as soon as I have heard the news of my cousin planning to go abroad as a Domestic Helper.
Just a brief background about our hometown, if you have read my previous blogs, it is a rural area and the progress is much slower than here in the city. The opportunities are limited and the salary rates are much lower. My cousin used to be a saleslady in a Department Store there but they don't retain employees for a regular position, the maximum contract is only lasts about 6 months with a below minimum salary and benefits deducted from it monthly.
Other jobs there would be farming and working on small time grocery stores in the market. It is surely hard to thrive in such a small town; that's why many people there migrates to the city, work in Manila or overseas.
We meet prior when she was working on her documents here in Bacolod. And by requesting for your personal documents at the registry can be quite expensive if you're not financially prepared for it. Honestly, that day, she got short on a budget. Gladly, she has friends who helped and lend her money before I came to her waiting in the plaza.
Fast forward.
We meet again when she was about to leave for Manila since her Visa and passport is ready; she just need to train there for months and get ready for the awaiting work overseas.
I treated her a dinner before she bids goodbye. We ate at Chowking since the office of the agency where she has applied lies in the same building as the fast food chain. I told her that she should eat before her flight took off because the waiting and travelling time from the airport to her destination would take hours and she'll starve while on it. But I know she's on a budget when she told me that she's not used to eating when travelling because she might feel nauseous.
After our dinner, she and the other applicants left with their recruiters. It's just sad to see another family member leaving for abroad and hearing their reasons that it is for the sake of their family. She's not the only one in my family that left for abroad, but they're many. Actually, I'm considering it too when I graduate in college.
If the welfare of your family weighs more than pursuing your dreams at your own pace, then it's your calling to sacrifice your years of happiness for their sake.
Back to my question, "Do working abroad can be the only answer to poverty?"
Actually, not really.
However, it is the fastest way to end our suffering in poverty and provide well for the family. There are lots of opportunities here in the city, but we are cramped up here already and the competition is high. Moreover, employers prefer higher qualifications in every jobs making it more and more out of reach for people who doesn't have a college degree. And even if you have a degree, you'll still be job-mismatched due to the high competitions.
Thus, going abroad is more appealing and easier answer for most people here. If only there are other ways, but for now, there isn't. I can only wish her all the good lucks and pray for her safety while she is far away from us.
If wala kang can chance to earn enough while working in a company don't stay. You have a choice to find greener opportunities. If may ganitong opportunity to work abroad dati, I would have grabbed it. But I was lucky enough that I found an online job that let me earn more, stay at home, and work anywhere. If you ask me my working experience in a corporate setting, it's less than a year lang. I never looked back on working in a corporate setting in the PH. mas prefer ko pa mag work abroad.
Mahirap talaga corporate. Gusto ko na lang din freelance.
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It's really dad when one family member had to leave abroad for the family. Although alam na natin na mahirap talaga but that's the only way para sana maiangat natin ang sarili natin sa kahirapan. Yong at least sa pag aabroad, we'll make a great progress unlike if we stay here in our own country. Na kumayod kana ng malala pero wala pa rin, hanggang sa tumanda nalang, wala pa ring ipon. Although madidiskartihan sana pero di kasi lahat kayang sumugal, mas better pa rin talaga na mag abroad.
Actually naiisip ko na din nag abroad ee. Wala lang, gusto ko lang sumubok ba. Tara ayane, sama kaaaa. Haha
Gagraduate muna ako, tapos saka ko na lang pag-isipan. :XD
At first, I also thought of going abroad, pero nung nag college ako and then had a chance to meet people leaving their lives in above average economic status, napaisip ako, kaya naman pala. But you just have to work for it. Those people, galing din sila sa lower class.
Yes it can be, but it sometimes depend on the area. Like in the rural area like our place, only BPO companies thrives wherein jobs like that aren't fit for all people. Other jobs like in the malls, other establishments, and the government can't even compensate your hardwork. Also, the cost of living is quite expensive. Your wage can't pay all the bills. And that's why most of them find work in Manila or abroad.
Yeah im having the same trouble as her, finding work for artist like me within philippines and a city like Santa Rosa Laguna. Very tough indeed, i was able to find some work but its for a BPO (Business process outsourcing) Basically a Sweatshop for foreign companies to hire cheap 3rd world labor.
But yeah luckily for me, since im gifted. I managed to find some freelance work and draw online, enough to sustain myself.
Rent, water bills, electricty, food and internet. Just a simple walk on the streets i could tell there are many who would want what i have.
I hope the situation here in the philippines improves and our corruption index to lessen. For the mean time im going to keep improving my art until i do find a job overseas! Grrrrrrrrrrrr
TAKU STRONG!
Fighting, Taku! For the waffles! Hahaha.
I think we all have that dilemma here. I'm still considering it myself, since the most in demand jobs here now is for BPO companies. Jobs like that are not fit for me though I can do the jobs. I want those with action and less talk, or more with writings than calls.
Corruption can't be better, it will just keep on getting worse with the state of politics in the country. We couldn't really rely on the government. We can only fend for ourselves. So yeah, let's keep on improving until we can buy more waffles overseas!