OFWs in Hungary
THE Philippine government will be opening a Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Budapest, drawing cheers from families of Hungary-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Numbering more than 16,000, these migrant workers have been providing “positive contributions” to the Hungarian society, according to reports.
The opening of MWO under the auspices of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is seen to ensure the health, safety and welfare of OFWs in said European country.
In a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said “I am aware of the appreciation of Hungarians for the high quality of work provided by our workers.”
The meeting with visiting Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarro was held recently in Makati City.
The oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains as the number one destination of OFWs, but Filipinos still prefer to work in the United States.
“Ang problema lang ay talagang mas mahirap pumunta sa Estados Unidos kesa ibang bansa,” according to a relative of a long-time resident of the “Land of Honey.”
While trying to create more high-paying local jobs, the Philippines continues to export its workers, including professionals, like medical doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers.
“Pero ang gusto ng gobyerno ay dito na lang magtrabaho ang ating mga manggagawa para sila’y makatulong sa socio-economic development ng bansa,” a former OFW said.
“At tama ang ginagawa ng gobyerno na inaayos natin ang kalagayan ng mga OFW habang kulang pa tayo ng quality jobs sa Pilipinas,” the one-time migrant worker added.
It’s a move in the right direction.
