The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) will hold a public webinar on April 7, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM via Cisco Webex.
This virtual event will feature two PIDS studies on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and international migration from the Philippines. Titled “Analyzing Filipino Migrant Workers’ Access to Social Protection”, the first study authored by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Aubrey Tabuga, Research Analyst Anna Rita Vargas, and Senior Research Specialist Blesilda Mondez examined the access of OFWs to social protection on-site and after they have returned. The results show that the most common benefits received by OFWs in their first migration experience are those that meet their immediate on-site needs rather than those considered safety nets. Basic worker benefits are less common, such as health insurance, overtime pay, paid sick leave, and work accident compensation. Only a little over one-half of all workers have health insurance/medical allowance benefits, and only half of the workers received payment for overtime work in their first overseas job. Only 45 percent have received compensation for work accidents, and only 39 percent have been paid for sick leaves. These show the urgency of effective mechanisms for dialogue with host country governments to ensure that OFWs obtain adequate workers’ benefits while working abroad. The findings also point to the need to target the less-educated migrant workers and those who hold elementary occupations in awareness and education campaigns on social protection as these workers have the lowest membership in basic social protection schemes.
The second study, “Analyzing the Characteristics of International Migration in the Philippines Using the 2018 National Migration Survey”, was authored by Dr. Tabuga, Ms. Vargas, and Research Analyst Madeleine Louise S. Baiño. The results show that Filipinos have a greater tendency for international migration when compared to the global average, with economic reasons as the main motivation for migration. Most Filipino international migrants come from Ilocos Region, ARMM, Cagayan Valley, and National Capital Region. Many OFWs, particularly women, engaged in elementary occupations. Despite the need for written contracts, some OFWs still risk going abroad without a written contract, which is prevalent among those with lower education. Some 35 percent of returning migrants find it difficult to find jobs upon return. These findings suggest the importance of creating policies and interventions to reduce the negative impacts of international migration and programs to raise awareness and educate prospective migrants on the work conditions on-site and the importance of having written, clear work contracts.
The studies may be downloaded from these links:
- https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps2138.pdf
- https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps2140.pdf
DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS:
Analyzing Filipino Migrant Workers’ Experience in Overseas Work and Access to Social Protection presented by Dr. Aubrey Tabuga, Senior Research Fellow, Philippine Institute for Development Studies
Reaction of Ms. Ellene Sana, Executive Director, Center for Migrant Advocacy
The recording of this webinar may be viewed at https://fb.watch/cetxke7ICh/.
