The Labor Migration of Handloom Weavers in Selected Barangays in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur and its Effects on the Philippine Handicraft Industry

Abstract

Labor migration is a major issue confronting the country today. Due to the high cost of living at the present, many Filipinos are trying their luck to work abroad and earn good money. Inflation is a factor that contributes to the plight of most Filipinos. On the other hand, many are forced to take courses in college like nursing and other health related courses, education, and anything that would give such individual the opportunity to work abroad. Because of labor migration, part of the Philippine economy suffers especially when the number of labor force is considered. The residents of the municipality of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur experience the problem of labor migration. There is now a scarcity of handloom weavers and the young generation prefers to work abroad where the work is not as intensive as what handloom weaving requires to do. In order to survive and live a decent life, many live their families and sacrifice a lot on other countries just to be able to afford not only their basic needs but other goods as well. Studying the socio - economic situation of the handloom weavers in selected barangays in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur is one way of analyzing why the handloom weavers are leaving their families to work abroad. A comprehensive analysis of the effects of labor migration on the Philippine handicraft industry shall be made after the study using participant observation, surveys, interviews, and also archival research. The main reason why the number of weavers declines shall be pointed out and discussed thoroughly. Also, the significance of the study on the current and future situations of the Philippines shall be analyzed using the results of the data.