According to counts there are more than 11 million overseas Filipinos worldwide which is equivalent to 11% of the total population of the Philippines. Each year more than a million Filipinos leave to work abroad as skilled workers and also as unskilled workers.

Money sent by OFWs back home is a major financial boon to the country’s economy. In 2005 according to Philippine banks, US$10 billion was sent through remittances to the Philippines. In 2006 that number was US$12.8 and in 2007 the number was US$14.45 which equaled 10% of the gross domestic product. These numbers don’t reflect the money sent overseas via non-banking methods such as door to door and human couriers.

My Filipino family has quite a few OFWs in various countries around the world. I have a sister in law in Israel as well as a niece. I have three nephews that work for cruise lines in the US and I have a niece that works in Canada as a domestic helper. In fact my wife was working in Israel when I met her. I can tell you for a fact that if these relatives were not working abroad and sending money home this family would be suffering. In fact because of their children working abroad my in laws are doing quite well. My concern is that my nephews and one of my nieces have spouses and children at home. The children are growing up without the influence of their fathers and mothers and it could and has led to problems.

Please comment and tell me what you think about the Overseas Filipino Workers. Do you think it hurts the Philippine economy in the long run? How many OFWs are there in your family or are you an OFW? Any stories to tell from personal experience?