Social Costs and Risks of Being a Filipino Migrant Worker in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract

Migration and development is one of the priority thrusts of the present dispensation of the Philippines and one of the major concerns of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The subject of this study focuses on Filipino migrant workers which is very appropriate since the Philippines have become one of the largest sources of labor in the world. While that of Bahrain, the country has received recognition as the most committed in enhancing migrant labor practices among the destination countries for migrants in the Gulf. The Kingdom has acknowledged the indispensable share of the expatriates to its economic growth and has ensured ample protection for those at risk type of workers. It has also committed the provision of necessary safety nets in responding and managing social costs of being a Filipino migrant worker in Bahrain.The main objective of this study is to examine the motivating factors and benefits of becoming a migrant worker in Bahrain and to look into the social costs and risks. The end-result of the study is to come out with interventions that will respond to these social costs and risks faced by the Filipino migrant workers in the Kingdom of Bahrain.Descriptive method was used in generating the data set such as motivating factors, benefits, risks and social costs of migration. Ranking, weighted mean and the Likert scales were used to analyze the primary data. Correlation analysis was applied in assessing the significant relationship between impacts of economic and social status of a migrant worker and a) family cohesion; and b) psychosocial condition of the OFW and the family left-behind. It was found out that overseas jobs through remittances propel a better standard of living for migrant workers and families. However, there were unfortunate impacts of migration to OFWs and families left behind. The benefits provided to OFWs and their families have indirect effect to the resultant social costs as manifested on the results of the correlation analysis. It can be construed that the prevailing separation of one of the spouses from his / her family or separation of one of the parents or both parents from the children has immeasurable negative impacts. Economic benefits cannot replace the emotional and psychosocial bonding that can develop in the relationship of the family members when they are physically present.

Keywords: Social Cost on Migration, OFWs in Bahrain, OFW’s Benefits and Risks