Proud Overseas Worker
There are millions of overseas (Filipino) contract workers around the world and I am honored to say that I am one. Here in Saudi Arabia alone, there are over one million OFWs (as we are popularly known or called in our country), working usually for eleven months a year --some don’t go home for 22 months, straight! We chose to work abroad for many reasons but primarily we are here to earn relatively more money and sustain our family back home.
But, is it usually the case? Not all expatriates or contract workers are the same. Some are unmarried and sometimes with no dependents, while some are breadwinners to their families back in the Philippines. Some have been contract workers for more than half of their lives, working for at least 20 years, away from their loved ones. Hearing older (or more experienced) people’s stories here can be truly inspiring or heartbreaking to some point. In 2011, I was sent here for a six-month mission (at least that’s what I thought), and 5 years forward, I am still here. And as someone in his late twenties, I believe I have a point or two to share as an OFW.
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