Problems Faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) on the Process of Re-adjustment to the Philippines: Case Studies of OFW Returnees from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Each year, thousands of Filipinos leave the country to work abroad. Collectively known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), they get employed in other countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and America. Even with their large dollar earnings abroad, they experience stress and anxiety as they adapt to other countries. They become accustomed to the country's culture: food and feeding habits, dress and appearance, communication, work habits and practices, beliefs and attitudes, and values and norms. This results to physical, psychological, social, and cultural changes. But these heightened emotions occur even when they come back and re-adjust to their local culture. A number of researches have been made regarding adaptation, but no studies have focused on re-adaptation and the problems associated with it. In this light the researcher aims to answer this question: “What problems do OFWs face upon their re-adjustment to the Philippines?” The researcher used an exploratory research design employing psychological and cultural approaches. It involves a qualitative data that explored the different problems faced by OFWs. Ten respondents were chosen for this study. It used an interview schedule which included questions regarding the culture of Saudi Arabia. OFWs adaptation process there, changes that occurred to them, their re-adjustment process and the different problems they faced, and the ways by which they overcome these problems. It used thematic analysis to organize the data gathered. Through this study, it was established that OFWs came from different backgrounds. They vary on gender, age, occupation, years of stay, and the experiences they had in Saudi Arabia. It was also found out that adaptation process for them was not easy. At first, OFWs felt excited or rather happy being in Saudi Arabia. But as days passed, they noticed the differences between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, which is why. they started to detest Saudi Arabia. But as they became more familiar with the culture of Saudi Arabia, they found satisfaction in working and living in the country. Along with these emotions, they also experienced changes in themselves. They underwent physical, psychological, cultural, and social changes. These changes triggered the beginning of different problems when they return to the Philippines. They experienced sleeplessness, withdrawal from conversations and relationships with their families and friends, homesickness for Saudi Arabia, and pessimistic attitude towards Philippine society and culture. To overcome these problems, they kept themselves busy and took personal initiative to converse with families and friends. In conclusion, there are different problems that OFWs faced upon return and their readjustment to the Philippines. Among these are sleeplessness, withdrawal from relationships and conversations with their families and friends, homesickness for Saudi Arabia, and pessimistic attitude towards Philippine society and culture. They resort to keeping themselves busy and personally initiating conversation with families and friends.