Sunday, January 25, 2009

Domestic Helpers from the Philippines: A New Breed of Superheroes

By Alice Sy

There is no question to the capacity of domestic helpers from the Philippines. They have earned both a source of living and the admiration of a lot of people around the world. Through their resilience, dedication to duty, and loyalty to their employers, they were able to give a better life to their families.

It is common to middle class families anywhere to hire from a maid - either those who live-in or from one who lives out. However, here in the Philippines, maids suffer from low wage and extreme work compared to domestic helpers in other countries. A beginner is lucky enough to get $20 a month as salary while a long time servant makes between $30 and $40 and free food and lodging. It is indeed due to financial need and poverty that forces more homemakers to venture in foreign lands. This exodus also includes numerous professional who choose to work abroad than suffer poverty in the country. But simply speak the name of a Filipina and what will follow is an utterance of praises from their employers.

Also, Filipina maids can speak English better than their counterparts from other countries. They can be easily trained, and are fast learners of any foreign language. These qualities of Filipina maids give them the edge when it comes to employment opportunities.

But what pushes a Filipina from leaving her country and working abroad? To think of leaving your country and serve strangers in other countries is martyrdom. To abandon your family and not seeing your children grow is very sad. But they have an option. Most domestic helpers from the Philippines are sole breadwinners of their families. And to stay working abroad ensures their family of stability, at least in financial terms.

In Great Britain, for instance, the rich and the famous, including royal families and wealthy businessmen are employing Filipina maids. Likewise, in France and Italy, the same holds true. In Greece, only families belonging to the middle-class and up can afford the pay rate of Filipina maids.

Indeed, to have a Filipina in a foreign household is a pride to an employee. In England, royalties, elites, and rich businessmen have Filipina servants. So as in Italy and France. In Greece, a family is considered well-to-do if they have a maid coming from the Philippines.

Another reason why Filipinas are preferred is their ability to communicate well in English. They are also fast learners with the language their employers speak. Unlike the Chinese, Mexicans, and Indians, they speak more fluent and understand their employer's instruction better because they know their language.

Indeed, domestic helpers from the Philippines are in demand abroad. Not only because they are Filipinas, are they also workers who give their whole heart in the work they choose to do. That is why they are respected and, in turn, earn a lot of benefit from it. - 16755

About the Author: