“Exploring the Lived Experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers

among Selected Overseas Filipino Workers in

Panabo City”

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

In PR1 (Practical Research 1)
2nd Semester, SY 2022-2023

Arinduque, Jay B.
Tacugue, Quiela Marie
Estrada, Raiko Rainer Jones R.

April, 20
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Chapter 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

Working abroad have good salary, the term “Overseas Filipino Worker” or simply

“OFW” refers to Filipinos working abroad. An OFW is defined by the Philippine Overseas

Employment Administration (POEA) as "a person who engages in, is employed by, or has

been engaged in a for-profit occupation in a country in which he or she is not legally

resident." Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA, 2021). The term

“OFW” has risen to prominence as a significant portion of the Philippine population is

employed overseas. 6.2% of the total workforce (PSA, 2021).

The working conditions of OFWs in the Gulf region, which includes nations like

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. that OFWs constitute a substantial

supply of labor in the Gulf and are crucial to the economy of the area. The difficulties

experienced by OFWs in the Gulf, include subpar working conditions, low pay, and

restricted access to support services and legal rights. The argument goes that these

difficulties have a big impact on the economic security and social integration of OFWs, and

they may have long-term effects on their welfare and the welfare of their families (Roldan

2018).

In the national setting, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the difficulties and

opportunities faced by returning OFWs in the Philippines. The epidemic has made it more

difficult for returning OFWs to reintegrate into their home communities by worsening the

country's economic and social conditions. The significance of governmental and social

support in easing the process of reintegration. Although the Philippine government has

established a number of reintegration programs and services for returning OFWs, these

services still have a number of serious gaps, making them inaccessible to many returning
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workers. They demand more community and government coordination to aid in the

reintegration of returning OFWs (Alde & Santillan 2020). The challenges that returning

overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) confront in the Municipality of Malay, Aklan, as well as

their daily lives there. Many returning OFWs suffered with social and economic

reintegration, as a result of things like financial hardships, a lack of work possibilities, and

social shame. They assist returning OFWs in overcoming these difficulties and successfully

reintegrating into their home communities, local governments and communities must create

support structures and initiatives (Lascano & Lerios, 2019).

Locally, in Panabo City OFWs have difficulties to return to their home and their

challenges while working abroad, the a lack of employment possibilities and unstable

economic conditions in the Philippines is one of the reasons why overseas Filipino workers

(OFWs) may find it difficult to return (Rocamora, 2018). A study by (Battistella et al.,

2018) many OFWs depart the Philippines in quest of better employment opportunities and

greater pay, frequently enduring challenging working circumstances and social isolation

abroad. However, they might discover that the job market is still scarce and that pay are low

when they return to the Philippines, making it challenging for them to sustain themselves

and their families.

Purpose of the Study and Research Questions

The purpose of this study is to explore the life experiences of the Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) from chosen respondents, to achieve this purpose, to ensuing research
inquiries were examined:
1. What challenges do Filipino immigrant employees abroad commonly face?
2. How they overcome these challenges?
3. What are the lessons from their challenges?
4. What are the most typical objectives of Filipino migrants workers in other countries
going forward?
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Hypothesis of the Study

Working abroad can be a challenging experience for Filipinos, fraught with

exploitation, prejudice and social exclusion. This not only negatively impacts physical and

mental health, but can also lead to feelings of detachment from the home community is

claimed to outweigh the potential benefits.

Review of Related Literature

Migrant Worker. Migrant workers are people who move to work in another country. They

face a series of challenges and experiences unique to their situation. As highlighted in

(Biao et al., 2019), migrant workers in China face significant challenges such as poor access

to social services, discrimination, and long working hours for low wages. Meanwhile,

research by Nwosu and colleagues (2018) found that migrant workers in the UK face many

challenges, including language barriers, difficulty accessing healthcare and concerns about

job security.

A study by Smith and colleagues (2019) found that migrant workers in Canada face

challenges related to social isolation and exclusion, as well as navigating the complex legal

and regulatory environment related to immigration.

Seafarers. People who work on ships are known as seafarers, and they encounter a variety

of unusual difficulties and situations. According to a study by Tang and colleagues (2020),

sailors frequently experience significant levels of stress, loneliness, and exhaustion in

addition to worries about their job stability and future career opportunities. Similar to this,

that seafarers also experienced difficulties juggling their professional and personal lives,

such as lengthy workdays and few opportunities for recreation and socializing (Oldenburg

et al., 2018).
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Homesickness. When someone is away from their home or familiar surroundings, they

frequently experience homesickness, which is a distressing or uncomfortable emotional

state, OFWs frequently experience homesickness. Can feel of deep chest pains, think about

their family, and often their self scrolling through old photos and videos on their phone in

spare time. They video call with loved ones whenever possible, but the connection is

spotty and the time difference can make scheduling conversations difficult (Ogena &

Nepomuceno, 2021). Homesickness was a significant predictor of psychological distress in

OFWs, and homesick OFWs had higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress than non-

homesick OFWs (Jocano & Lazaro, 2018). Participants felt nostalgic not only for family

and friends, but also for their favorite foods, cultural traditions and lifestyle, and

homesickness was closely related to participants' sense of Filipino identity. (Arriola et al,

2019).

Language Barriers. For OFWs, who may need to navigate foreign cultural and linguistic

environments in their host countries, language difficulties can be a considerable problem.

Language barriers were a common issue for OFWs, was reported having trouble interacting

with their bosses, coworkers, and medical professionals. Due to their inadequate language

abilities, survey participants also mentioned feeling alone and excluded from social

activities (Quimbo & Lam, 2018). Additionally, reported having a difficult time interacting,

learning new languages, adjusting to the local culture, and feeling dissatisfied and ashamed

of their limited language skills (Tungol & Liao, 2019).

Furthermore, A qualitative study by Tamayo (2017), OFWs in Qatar described how

language barriers impacted their ability to perform their jobs and interact with their

colleagues. Participants reported feeling self-conscious and anxious about their language
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skills, and described how their limited English proficiency sometimes resulted in

misunderstandings and mistakes in their work.

Work Long Hours. OFWs often face long working hours and challenging working

conditions, which can have negative effects on their physical and mental health. A study by

De Guzman and colleagues (2019) found that OFWs in the United Arab Emirates reported

working an average of 11 hours per day, with many working seven days a week.

Participants in the study reported experiencing fatigue, sleep problems, and musculoskeletal

pain as a result of their long working hours. OFWs in Saudi Arabia often worked 12-hour

shifts, with some working up to 16 hours per day. Participants in the study reported feeling

physically and emotionally drained, and described how their long working hours impacted

their relationships with their families back home (Sarabia, 2018).

In a study by Orbeta and Abrigo (2018), OFWs reported working an average of 11.3

hours per day, with many working six or seven days a week. Participants in the study

reported feeling stressed and fatigued, and described how their long working hours left them

with little time for leisure or social activities.

Discrimination. OFWs often face discrimination and abuse in host countries. In a study

by Wiesengrund (2018), his OFWs in Israel are paid less than Israeli workers for the same

jobs, are denied promotions, and are verbally and physically abused. I found that I often

face discrimination and harassment. Similarly, OFWs in Hong Kong experienced various

forms of discrimination, including negative stereotypes, questioned work ethics, and

disengaged from social activities. found to be excluded (Lansang, 2019).

According to a study by De Castro and colleagues (2018), his OFWs in Malaysia

were more likely to be assigned tasks that were more difficult and physically demanding
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than their local counterparts at work, as well as being subjected to verbal abuse and

disrespectful behavior. I found that I often face discrimination, such as remarks that are

inappropriate.

Strategies to Overcome the Homesickness. Homesickness is a typical experience among

OFWs and can have substantial consequences on their well-being and job performance.

While homesickness may not totally go away, there are several ways that might help OFWs

cope with their feelings and adjust to their new environment. Keeping in touch with kin

back home is one of the strategy. According to Samaniego and colleagues' (2018), OFWs

who used social media to stay in touch with friends and family expressed less

homesickness. Low levels of homesickness were indicated by OFWs who had a favorable

attitude toward their new environment (Cheng et al., 2020). Self-care practices can also aid

OFWs in feeling better. This can involve engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a good

diet, obtaining sufficient rest, and using relaxation techniques like meditation or deep

breathing exercises.

Establishing a support network in the host nation is another strategy. OFWs can find

other OFWs who are going through the same difficulties by looking for local community

groups or organizations that share their interests, Participating in community events and

built close bonds with their coworkers experienced less homesickness (Guerrero et al.,

2017).

These coping mechanisms can aid OFWs in overcoming homesickness and

acclimating to their new surroundings. Employers and policymakers can aid in enhancing

the well-being and job performance of OFWs by advocating these initiatives and offering

resources and support services.

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Economy Contribution. The economic impact of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has

been extensively studied and analyzed by various authors. Many authors recognize that

OFWs contribute significantly to the Philippine economy through their remittances and the

multiplier effect of spending and investment. For example, a study by Reyes Saloma-

Akpedonu (2019) found that OFW remittances have the following positive effects on the

economy: B. Increase household consumption and reduce poverty rates. In addition, their

study found that OFW family spending on education and health also has a positive impact

on human development. Another author explored the impact of OFW remittances on the

Philippine housing market. She found that remittances played a key role in driving housing

demand and helping the construction industry grow. She also suggested that the

government should develop strategies to increase the supply of affordable housing and

encourage remittance investment in the housing sector (Quimbo, 2019).

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

This present study anchored on M. B. Mallari (2019) Transnational labor migration

theory and the experiences of overseas Filipino workers focuses on life experiences of

OFWs and to comprehend and explore the life experiences of OFWs.

Based on this theory, The theory of trransnational labor migration is a framework for

explaining the movement of workers across borders in search of employment opportunities.

Recognizing that economic, political and social factors shape the flow of work in both

countries of origin and destinations, and that migration is a complex social process with

multiple impacts on migrants and their families doing. In the context of investigating the

actual experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the theory of cross-border labor

migration will explore the factors that motivate Filipinos to seek employment abroad, the
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challenges they face in the migration process, and the migration process. provides a useful

lens for understanding the impact of about their social and economic life.

By using the theory of transnational labor migration to investigate the experiences of

OFWs, researchers can better understand the social and cultural aspects of migration,

including how it affects families who stay behind, how transnational communities are

formed, and how OFWs deal with issues of identity and belonging in both their home and

host countries.

Delimitation and Limitaion

The limitations of the study are sample size and a limited number of selected

respondents included in the interview questionnaire. The respondents were only OFWs that

are working abroad and some respondents are in Panabo City that have a lived experience

being a OFW, the number of the interviewer used in this research was limited also. There

will be 5-10 interview used in the actual survey. Even the results were measured

consciously to increase their validity and reliability.

Significance of the Study

Results of this study are deemed beneficial to the following:

OFW. The result of this study can be useful for OFWs who are considering traveling
abroad.

Teachers. The result of this study can be helpful for those teachers who want to go
abroad to teach students.

Students. The result of this study can help understand for students, what is like having
a OFW parent.
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Researchers. The result of this study may serve as a guide for future research that may
be done to address additional variables that may have an impact on the variables being
studied:

In essence, anyone who are interested in learning more about the experiences of Overseas
Filipino Workers will greatly benefit from the results.

Definition of Terms
To create a shared frame of reference, the following concepts utilized in this study
are conceptually and practically defined:

Overseas Filipino Workers. A label applied to Filipino immigrants and those with Filipino
citizenship who have spent a brief length of time working and residing outside of the
Philippines.

Lived Experiences. Is a representation of a person’s experiences, choices, and information

gleaned from these experiences, choices and knowledge.

Subpar. Below a usual or normal level standard of work.

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