PHILIPPINES “OFW”

by  F R Chowdhury

Last month I spent busy fifteen days in Manila, capital of Philippines. I was invited by MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) of Philippines to assist them with proper implementation of the STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers) 1978, as amended. Readers may be aware that Philippines supply more seafarers to the world of shipping than any other country. Recently EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) made a few visits to Philippines to assess their training and certification system for the purpose of continued recognition of their certificates by EU States. EMSA made certain observations and the Government of Philippines took them seriously. They called me perhaps because of my past experience as deputy chief examiner of UK-MCA, one of the lead nations within EU to successfully implement the 1995 version of the Convention soon after its adoption. This was not my first visit to Manila. I went there twice before. However, I am not going to talk much about seafarers training and certification today. I shall do so at a later stage. Today I shall talk about the OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers).

By now readers already know about the fact that Filipino seafarers around the world outnumber those from any other country. They are also number one in nursing service. In hospitals of USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, perhaps about 80% nurses are from Philippines. Even in Britain they would number about 20% of total nurses employed by NHS (National Health Service). Those who travel abroad through Middle-East (via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain) must have seen all the duty free shops in the airports being manned by young Filipino girls. At this moment, the biggest construction boom is going on in Qatar in preparation of the World Cup Football. There one can see the number of carpenters, fitters, plumbers, electricians, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics and engineers and technicians working for fire protection, prevention, detection, alarm and sprinkler system.

Philippines have achieved this success through years of careful planning. Today in respect of overseas earning, Philippines’ position is only next to India and China. Their GDP (per head/ per capita) is $2760 (PPP $4620) and the GDP growth is higher (3% more) than inflation. In our sub-continent, only Sri Lanka has GDP per head higher than that of Philippines. DOLE (Department of Labour and Employment), PRC (Professional Regulatory Commission) and COHE (Commission on Higher Education) work together very closely to develop and deliver specialised courses to meet the global market demand. In the streets of Dhaka we cannot avoid signboards of various universities. This is not the case in Philippines. They do not have so many universities. They have, in every district, one or two vocational colleges like our polytechnics. These colleges produce thousands of skilled work-force for home and abroad. The courses even include cooking, house-keeping, hair dressing, front desk receptionist to provide first hand information and administrative and office assistants. They all come out skilled in their own field and they do not have to sit idle. I must mention here that even the domestic aids from Philippines can communicate in excellent English and can operate computer (IT).

The entire man-power business is privately owned and operated. Sometimes the agents of recruiters get specific orders from abroad and arrange for specialised courses to be developed through Government approval and delivered through registered vocational colleges. The Government operates strict supervision and control to ensure that prospective employees are never cheated or deprived. However, the Government does not engage itself in any business.

During my stay in Philippines, I read at least two English newspapers everyday. They are much ahead in democratic and political culture. They never use abusive language to political opponents. They are much more cultured and civilised. I never found anything known as Chatra League, Chatra Dal, Shibir etc. The young generation is busy acquiring knowledge for their future. They have no time for any rubbish.

We all know that two big contributing factors to our economic success are the garment industry and the remittances by our overseas workers. Yet they are the most neglected people in the society. Our overseas workers deserve a warm welcome when they return home. Instead they are taken for a ride by almost everyone in the airport – immigration, security, police, customs, etc. I have heard some of those sarcastic remarks and harassment. Those from Sylhet are subjected to all sorts of ridicules just because they cannot speak clear Bangla. This is one reason why Sylhetis now want a direct flight to Sylhet (and avoid Dhaka). In most of the fire incidents in garment industry, the doors have been found locked with no chance for the workers to escape death. This is how we treat those who form the backbone of our economy. It is different in Philippines. The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are treated with respect. They receive preferential treatment. In the airport, there are several counters reserved for them so that they never have to wait a minute extra. They receive Mabuhay (gorgeous welcome) treatment. As a matter of fact I came to know about OFW and Mabuhay right from the airport.

Bangladesh has a lot to learn from Philippines especially in respect of vocational qualifications so that we can have more skilled and competent man-power to export. I found medicines very expensive in Philippines. Perhaps our pharmaceutical industry could take the initiative to set-up joint venture industries in Philippines. Let us benefit from each other’s experience.

London, 14-April-2014                                                fazlu.chowdhury@btinternet.com