OFWs Would Rather Work in A War Zone Than Return to the Philippines

Right now there is a war going on in Israel. At least one Filipino has been captured by Hamas and four have been killed. The Department of Foreign Affairs has pleaded with OFWs to return home immediately. However some workers are so desperate for jobs that they would rather work in a war zone and risk being killed or captured than return to the Philippines and start from zero. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/content/886060/filipinos-who-remain-in-israel-afraid-of-war-but-need-jobs/story/

While fearing for their safety, several Filipinos opted to stay in Israel for their jobs despite the ongoing conflict in the country, JP Soriano reported on “24 Oras” Monday.

Amid the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, overseas Filipino workers (OFW) Ricasol Atregeno, Rosielyn Asistores and Princess Joy Palad said they chose not to be repatriated for fear of losing employment should they return to the Philippines.

“'Yung nanay ko nagda-dialysis. Dito ako kumukuha kasi single mother ako. Parang kung uuwi kami, iniisip namin 'san kami?' Back to zero kami,” Atregeno said.

(My mother is undergoing dialysis. This is my only livelihood. I am also a single mother. What will happen to us if we go home? We’ll go back to zero.)

Asistores shared the sentiment, saying: “Kung sakali man na umuwi kami 'yung mandatory na. Kami pa rin 'yung babalik. May kasiguraduhan na kami pa rin 'yung kukuhanin, di sila kukuha ng iba. Kasi ito lang 'yung inaasahan ng pangkalahatan”.

(If ever we will be mandated to go home we will still return to Israel. We’re assured of employment here. They will not hire other people.)

Meanwhile, Palad tearfully admitted feeling scared but said she wants to continue working.

“May takot din per nilalakasan lang 'yung loob namin kasi iniisip namin na nandito na kami. Kung ano na lang kapalaran, 'yun na ‘yun,” she added.

(We’re scared but we’re trying to be strong and leave everything to fate.)

Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel's history on October 7, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza.

“Tinitimbang nila 'yung sitwasyon. 'Yung iba syempre talagang ganon na lang 'yung kanilang devotion sa kanilang trabaho. Hindi nila basta-basta maiiwan 'yung kanilang mga employer,” said Philippine Embassy in Israel Consul General and Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Mandap.

(They’re weighing the situation. Some of them are devoted to their jobs and cannot leave their employers.)

First of all let me note that GMA apparently did not upload a picture with this story. No many how many times I loaded this story no picture ever appeared.

Second of all this story is sad. These people do not want to return and its not out of any warped sense of loyalty to their employer. It's because wages in the Philippines are suppressed to the level of unlivability. 

There is one person who is a single mother who's mother is on dialysis who could NEVER pay for all of that making 200 pesos per day in the Philippines. 

Sure, many OFWs went home but there are some who are so hard pressed they would rather work in a war zone than return to the Philippines. How is this not another indicator that the Philippines has a damaged culture?