Migrants should be admired as well as hired
The Universe
(June 20, 2004)
When we read about migrant workers we tend to think
of the tens of thousands that go to work in Europe, the US and Australia
but in fact the greatest number of Asian migrants are found in Asia
itself.
The vibrant economies of South East Asia are the biggest employers of
domestic helpers and their lot can be a sad, unhappy one. Separated from
family and friends, farmed out to families that abuse servants.
The story of the Malaysian girl disfigured by her employer was a recent
case that highlights the tragedy. This are other such cases.
Japan is one of the popular destinations for Filipina women where 35,000
migrate every year. Women's rights organisations are alarmed because so
many end up in prostitution and the migration becomes trafficking and
the shameless exploitation of women.
Eight million Filipinos live in other countries- that is one tenth of
the population and they give as much as £5 billion to the Philippine
economy. This £5 billion pays the annual interest on the foreign debt
incurred by the wealthy oligarchs that have ruled the Philippines.
In Malaysia, more than a million Indonesians work on plantations as
domestics and Bangladeshis do the most menial jobs. Thailand is a big
exporter of workers to Japan, South Africa and the Middle East but it
also imports cheap labour from Burma for the sex tourist business.
Singapore and Hong Kong are the biggest employers of domestic workers.
Maids, care givers and shop workers come from all over Asia and work for
a pittance but one that is ten times what they would earn at home.
Asian countries where the birth rate is high, supply labour to the
Northern nations with declining birth rates and a work force shortage.
The problem is so acute that economic growth is faltering and will
continue to do so unless migrant labour comes to the rescue.
France and Germany drastically cut social services and extend the
working life of the people because it cannot pay pensions and continue
their generous medical services to increasing aged population.
The migrants are to be admired and hired. They are hardworking and
skilled, they endure a lot of hardship and sacrifice so much to help
their impoverished families.
They endure the taunts of racists and the abuse of arrogant and
employers, yet they have the resilience to overcome and find spectacular
success.
Fr. Shay Cullen is a Columban missionary: PREDA Centre, Kalaklan, Olongapo City. www.preda.org
