A Case Study of the Impact of OCWs in Poblacion, Muntinlupa

Abstract

Dubbed as Bagong Bayani ng Bayan, Overseas Filipino contract workers play an essential part in the economy by remitting millions of dollars to the country. Most Filipino overseas contract workers are employed as nurses, domestic helpers, entertainers and construction laborers. However, overseas contract workers remain vulnerable to abuses and lack of adequate standards for legal protection and remedies. In most cases, issues involving overseas contract workers would be the violation of the contract, employment, and of human rights. These same issues were experienced by Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) in Poblacion, Muntinlupa. In addition, their material conditions increased at the time of overseas employment and became relatively low after their contract. This condition is more obvious to those who were not able to finish tertiary education. The struggle to eke out a living after overseas contract employment is noticeable. As some of our great thinkers would say, laws as a rule are meant to put a sense of order and to establish rules of conduct. It is meant to protect those that need it most. And to this end, the government must be the middle ground to attain the goal-—economic growth with socially just policies.