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THE
first waves of Filipinos who went abroad to work are
growing older, and the National Statistics Office (NSO),
interpreting its survey data, said the large role of
these workers in propping up the economy is now
devolving to the younger batches between 25 and 29 years
old.
NSO data
showed active overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during
the period April to September last year numbered 1.75
million, an increase of 15 percent over the estimated
1.52 million in the same period in 2006.
Of the
2007 total, 1.61 million or 93 percent have work
contracts compared with the 1.38 million the year
before, a rise of 23 million or 17 percent.
The NSO
said more than half of the workers, or around 55
percent, were below 35 years old, with the largest
number in the age group of 25 to 29 years. Among these
workers, men (51 percent) outnumber women but the women
are generally younger, of which 29 percent are in the
age group 25 to 29 years and 21 percent in the age group
30 to 34 years.
The men
were almost evenly distributed among the age groups 25
to 29, 30 to 34 and 45 and over.
These
workers sent a total remittance of P110 billion for the
period, which is an increase of P8 billion from the
estimated remittance of P102 billion for the same months
in 2006.
Included
in the total remittances are cash which accounted for
74.6 percent, cash personally brought home, 20.7 percent
and remittances in kind, 4.7 percent.
“Of the
total cash remittance sent for the period April to
September 2007, 76.8 percent were sent through banks, 14
percent were sent through door-to-door, and the rest or
9.2 percent were sent through agency/local office,
friends/coworkers and other means,” reported the NSO.
“OFWs
working in Asia, comprising 78.1 percent of all OFWs,
sent the biggest cash remittance of P57.7 billion. Among
occupation groups, OFWs working as laborers or unskilled
workers posted the highest cash remittance of P17.6
billion,” the agency added.
In terms
of occupation, the NSO said that one out of 3 were
laborers and unskilled workers, which include domestic
help, cleaners, and manufacturing laborers.
“Those
who worked as service workers and shop and market sales
workers made up 14.3 percent, trades and related
workers, 13.8 percent, and plant and machine operators
and assemblers, 13.4 percent.” |
