The Psychological Issues Filipino Workers Experience Essay Example

a foreign country is eliminated, giving Overseas Filipino Workers more motivation to pursue employment overseas. However, the primary reason for going abroad is the economic benefit. Maria Christina Ancient (29) and Irvin Dave (27) both agreed that the working opportunities abroad were significantly superior in terms of reparability compared to those available in the Philippines (Nouveau et. AY 19).

Despite the constant migration of Filipinos to foreign countries for employment, it is a misconception that the Philippines is losing its highly skilled and professional workforce. According to a statistic mentioned in a Rapper anaphoric by Www and Hepburn, the majority of Filipinos who go abroad for work take on jobs that require low skills, such as domestic work. The fact that they choose such types of work with great preference indicates a lot about the job market and opportunities available in the Philippines. The decision of these Overseas Filipino Workers to engage in difficult and often looked-down-upon work reflects the undesirable state of employment in the Philippines.

Although OFWs face challenges while working abroad, it is crucial to respect their decision in seeking employment outside the Philippines. They have the right to live according to their choice, and as fellow Filipinos, we should provide them with support to ensure they can reap the rewards of their hard work. Nevertheless, we cannot overlook our concern for their well-being overseas. The personal accounts shared by OFWs demonstrate that they confront substantial hardships and struggle to flourish in foreign nations.

Psychological difficulty is a key issue faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (Offs) when they are abroad. In order to address this, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, in collaboration with the Philippine

consulates, should assign approximately two officials to develop and promote Filipino communities in the cities where Offs reside and work. The prevalence of Offs' issues is well-documented in various forms of media such as documentaries, interviews, and movies that shed light on the challenges they face. Despite the abuse they endure, Offs continue to work tirelessly in the hope of receiving the promised economic compensation, which is seen as a means to solve other related problems. It is noteworthy that Filipinos prioritize this promise and devote all efforts towards achieving it.

Despite being warned about potential problems and issues to be prepared for when going abroad, many Filipinos choose to overlook these warnings and pursue job opportunities, believing that the benefits outweigh any potential challenges. However, due to this mindset, they often find themselves in shock when faced with sudden and impactful problems. While they were aware of these issues beforehand, their tendency to downplay them only adds to the shock of how significant and threatening they actually are. As a result, their efforts to adapt to the new culture where these problems arise become increasingly challenging due to their lack of preparation. One significant question to consider is: "What specific psychological problems do they encounter?" One such problem is the feeling of alienation and isolation experienced by Overseas Filipino Workers.

Alienation refers to the feeling of distancing oneself or being made a stranger to either one's own self or society (Firelight 77). Offs, when abroad, experience this phenomenon as they are in the minority and unfamiliar with the culture and people. Consequently, Offs undergo the initial form of alienation, which is alienation from society.

Maria Christina Ancient,

a 30-year-old Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) based in the USA, shared her initial and ongoing challenges in an interview. She explained that during her early years abroad, she had to adapt to the culture and communication norms of her host country. Ancient viewed it as her responsibility, as a minority, to conform to the prevailing culture of the foreign land where she worked. Her experiences and reflections serve as a concrete illustration of alienation, as she felt like a stranger due to her lack of familiarity with the local culture and people. Fortunately, the alienation she faced was not too severe.

Overseas domestic workers face a range of issues including abusive treatment, inadequate meals and sleeping conditions, and unfavorable working conditions. While some of these problems can be attributed to cultural differences, others are clearly unjustifiable forms of mistreatment (Sat. Maria et. Al 25). In addition, Overseas Filipino Workers also experience a sense of alienation from themselves.

People experience alienation when they are unable to live their lives in accordance with their own intentions. The reasons for individuals choosing to become alienated are often influenced by their financial or life circumstances. These individuals are limited by their resources, problems, and the opportunities available to them (Schmitt 116). An appropriate example of this can be seen in the case of Overseas Filipino Workers (Offs). When asked why they opted to become Offs, they commonly cite financial reasons. Despite the challenges they face, such as being separated from their families and experiencing abuse, they choose to pursue this path.

Overseas Filipino Workers willingly confront these challenges in return for the supposedly sufficient financial compensation. They opt to endure these hardships

rather than work in their home country due to the higher payment, deeming it more valuable. Consequently, they become detached from their own existence and perceive significant choices as being forced upon them, resulting in a sense of incapability to select the life they aspire for. Their lives center around serving others instead of themselves. These compelling justifications underscore the necessity for Overseas Filipino Workers to be given greater acknowledgment than what they presently receive.

Overseas workers face unfavorable situations and contexts, yet they persist in their work to provide for their families back home. In an interview with OFF Irvin Dave (28, Bahrain), he discloses that along with the challenges of being in a foreign land, homesickness is a significant struggle. Despite yearning to return to their familiar home country and be with loved ones, these individuals opt to endure the difficulties they encounter. These workers willingly sacrifice their own freedom in pursuit of a more comfortable life, aiming to alleviate poverty and secure a better future for those they care about.

One psychological problem experienced by Overseas Filipino Workers is fear and anxiety. In his book that examines happiness as a science, Stephen Braun explores emotions and moods, highlighting how they affect everyone. He explains that emotions, both positive and negative, have served important purposes in the past. For example, fear and panic help us react when our physical, mental, or social well-being is in immediate danger. Fear arises in situations that could harm us or jeopardize our social status, reproductive opportunities, or ability to obtain valuable resources.

Anxiety is a form of fear that helps individuals anticipate and avoid potential threats or danger in the

future (Braun 89). Both fear and anxiety are experienced by Offs abroad due to the threats and compromises to their lives in all three dimensions. For example, Offs in Singapore and Malaysia reported fearing the Philippine embassies abroad because they were illegal workers. These workers believed that embassy officials discriminated against them, treated them condescendingly, and threatened to take their jobs.

According to Maria et. Al (24), individuals who go through this ordeal face the risk of having their social status affected and their mental wellbeing compromised. Consequently, they become more apprehensive about seeking assistance from the Philippine embassies, which are supposed to provide help for Filipinos living abroad. They perceive these embassies as a potential danger. Nonetheless, it is not just the presence of fear and anxiety that is concerning.

What is concerning is the target of their fear and anxiety. At first, they direct it towards those who abuse them, which leads them to seek help from embassies. However, their anxiety alerts them to the fact that the embassies themselves are a threat and a cause for fear because they have the power to cost them their jobs. Consequently, a disturbing situation arises: they opt to return to their abusers because they believe that preserving their employment is more important than their own safety. Depression is another prevalent psychological issue experienced by Overseas Filipino Workers. In the same book that examines happiness and mood scientifically, Stephen Braun mentions a study carried out by psychotherapist Emmy Gut: "...

Depressive moods have a similar function in our mental state as pain does in our physical state: they act as important indicators that something is impeding our ability to

survive, reproduce, and maintain overall well-being. Typically, depressive moods bring attention to issues affecting our intimate relationships, life circumstances, or efforts to achieve a goal. They draw attention to unconscious crises, frustrations, breakdowns, or problems that require our focus (Braun 90). It's worth noting that most individuals experience depressive moods rather than clinical depression itself. Like fear and anxiety, depressive moods persist as emotions that signal the need for resolution in various areas of people's lives.

Offs can be influenced by various factors. Homesickness is one possible factor, which arises when individuals are away from their families and homes for a long time and surrounded by strangers. Work-related problems also contribute to Offs, ranging from abuse to discrimination. In an interview with OFF Irvin Dave, he shares his experience of being discriminated against by his coworkers based on his nationality. Similarly, Christina Ancient expresses similar feelings, stating that locals initially saw them as threats to local job opportunities and were unwelcoming towards them. She regrets that this created a sense of alienation between them and the locals.

When pursuing freedom, it is important to include and consider all individuals. It is unfair to oppress anyone for the benefit of others. However, in numerous cities, governments establish laws that solely affect their own citizens while disregarding the rights of foreigners and guests (Schmitt 1 15). This discriminatory treatment towards their fellow countrymen indicates a disregard for the welfare of foreigners, as they are not deemed significant.

Many people believe that seeking help from a psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist can resolve problems like depressive moods and other psychological issues. However, this approach primarily focuses on resolving symptoms instead of addressing

the root causes responsible for these symptoms. Therefore, a more effective solution entails identifying and resolving the underlying causes of these persistent issues.

The root causes of these psychological problems are widespread, stemming from specific factors. These factors can be traced back to individuals prioritizing their job or family income over themselves. Although this behavior is both harmful and commendable, it indicates a deeply ingrained attitude that is challenging to alter. However, what worsens the high prevalence of psychological issues in these professions is the sense of isolation, unfamiliarity, and overall loneliness experienced by individuals.

The psychological challenges faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) stem from their isolation and lack of connection. Living in a foreign country with unfamiliar people generates feelings of disconnection and unfamiliarity. It is important to remember that they are not alone in encountering these difficulties, as their loved ones and fellow Filipinos remain in the Philippines. To tackle these issues, it is crucial to promote and oversee the establishment of a supportive community among OFWs abroad. This can be accomplished through the appointment of officials who actively support and facilitate the creation of such communities, thereby diminishing the psychological stress caused by their challenging circumstances.

Firstly, the government will collaborate with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Philippines embassies worldwide to work together on this initiative. These joint agencies will assign about 2-3 officials to lead the community building process in each city where Overseas Filipino Workers (Offs) are employed. It will be their responsibility to establish a suitable system or schedule based on the host country's context. This is the opportune moment for them to introduce and promote Filipino culture abroad.

Filipino

culture places high importance on the concept of shared identity with fellow countrymen. This means that Filipinos strive to connect with other Filipinos living abroad, viewing them as links and reminders of their homeland. As a result, these individuals make efforts to maintain relationships with their compatriots overseas, whether it be through sharing stories, jokes, or other forms of communication (Nouveau et al. 59). They may also share their culture, such as celebrating fiestas, as a way to anchor their festive traditions in the countries they now call home (Nouveau et.

One realistic solution to bring together Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) abroad is to gather them in the cities where they work. This way, they won't feel alone and alienated, as they can interact with people who share the same culture. In an interview with Mrs. Ancient, she mentioned that she coped with her abroad experience by adapting to the local environment, including the culture and language.

With the suggested proposal, adjusting would become easier because the Offs would not need to adapt to the culture alone. With community building, they would have the opportunity to incorporate or draw parallels with their own Filipino culture. They will feel less fear and anxiety as they are familiar with each other's culture and can help solve each other's problems. They will not experience depressive moods as they are with familiar people and will not feel alarmed or threatened in any aspect of their lives. This proposed solution would allow the problems and abuses experienced by Overseas Filipino Workers to reach the higher Filipino authorities abroad.

This is because, in addition to having fellow Filipinos to talk to, they also

have direct contact with embassy and POPE officials in these Filipino communities. The difference between contacting officials in the communities versus contacting officials in actual embassies is that in these communities, the officials are likely to have gained the trust of the Offs enough for them not to fear bias or judgments, which were deterrents to approaching embassy officials initially. Despite being an ideal and realistic solution, this proposal still has potential downsides. One possibility is that through sharing stories with each other, these Filipinos may end up gossiping instead and promoting negative attitudes like backstabbing and hate.

One potential downside is that Offs might neglect or rush their work in order to attend community building events and places quickly. This issue can be easily addressed by implementing a set time frame for Offs to stay in the venue chosen for community development by embassy officials. Another downside is that this may not be an ideal solution for cities with a small number (less than 10) of Overseas Filipino Workers. This defeats the purpose of removing the idea that Filipinos are a minority or isolated in their respective cities. However, this can be addressed by organizing visiting times to OFF hotshot cities or planning community development centers in venues that can accommodate as many cities or Offs as possible. Overseas Filipino Workers deserve assistance.

Therefore, Overseas Filipino Workers (Offs) deserve support, assistance, and above all, gratitude for their efforts. This is primarily due to the immense challenges they face while working abroad, including various forms of abuse. The remarkable aspect that warrants such appreciation is their resilience and determination to persist in these jobs despite the

mistreatment they experience. Although it may be true that many are compelled to pursue this path due to limited opportunities in the Philippines, it is still noteworthy that they willingly subject themselves to such abuse in order to provide for their families and should be commended for their dedication.

The text highlights the selflessness and often overlooked contributions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). It points out the unfortunate reality that despite the immense sacrifices made by these OFWs for their families, they are sometimes blamed for internal problems within their families. The absence of OFWs during difficult times, particularly when their children are growing up, is often held against them. This lack of recognition and the tendency to place blame can be demoralizing for OFWs, causing them to question the value of their work. Therefore, it is important to respond to the needs of OFWs in order to reinforce the appreciation for their work.

In aiming to solve this issue, the proposed solution will make Offs feel appreciated and valued. They will be acknowledged as valuable assets to the Philippines, just like any other high-paying job. During an interview with Mrs. Ancient, she was asked if working abroad had been worth all the trouble. She responded that it was worth it primarily due to the economic compensation. However, she also mentioned that she considered it worthwhile because she was able to establish a home abroad surrounded by fellow Filipinos.

As Filipinos, we may not have the ability to completely prevent the abuses faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), as the responsibility lies mainly with the respective governments of the countries they live in. Nevertheless, it is essential that

we put forth all possible efforts to inspire and support these OFWs, beginning with their motivation and mindset before they embark on their journey as overseas workers representing the Philippines. These dedicated individuals deserve any assistance they can receive, as they tirelessly work and make significant contributions to both their nation and family, despite enduring various challenges and mistreatment.

The selfless sacrifice performed by these individuals earns them the distinction of being labeled as heroes in their own unique way. However, heroes are not capable of accomplishing everything on their own. They require the support and companionship of their fellow citizens and loved ones to remain motivated and to feel that their sacrifice holds significance for those it benefits. Works Cited Nouveau, Augustus T.

, et al. What happened and what unexpected issues or problems arose? ANSWER: I anticipated difficulties with communicating with the locals. Traveling to a foreign country meant I had to navigate a different language. I knew not everyone would be fluent in English, so I took it upon myself to quickly learn basic conversational jargon in order to communicate effectively.

Dealing with social situations outside of work required me to communicate and make friends. Additionally, I had to communicate with both work colleagues and clients, further complicating the language barrier.