Making a mint overseas is not heroic.

last updated 8 January 2015

Philippines

Editorial

Filipinos who work abroad are vital to the economy, said The Freeman in an editorial, but let’s keep their contribution in perspective. Ever since statistics came out last month showing that overseas Filipino workers, known as OFWs, sent more money home last year than ever before, newscasters and politicians have been referring to them as “heroes.” Sure, $13 billion is a lot of money in a country with a GDP of $98 billion. And many OFWs are nurses, a laudable profession in itself. Yet “just because we are a country in desperate need of heroes does not mean we call everyone who does a good deed a hero.” Why do we greet returning OFWs with bands and confetti at the airport? Of course it is a sacrifice to leave one’s family and homeland and go abroad to work among strangers. “But what about those who stay behind? They sacrifice just as painfully. Most of us who are here work just as hard, if not harder, than most OFWs—and for far less pay.” If overseas workers make enough money to send some back to their parents, then good for them. That’s generous. But it’s not heroic.