Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Domestic Helpers from the Philippines: A New Breed of Superheroes

By Alice Sy

Domestic helpers from the Philippines is a byword that refers to Filipino people working as maids in other countries. Lately, the current President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, tagged them as supermaids, and for good reason. Humnan beings that they are, these maids from the Philippines are suffering from pain, separation anxiety, and longing for the families they left behind, and yet, they have to continue to endure all these in the hope of being able to provide a better life for their families back home.

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.

Domestic helpers are the Philippine's pride anywhere they go; they are never a disappointment. In many countries, it is considered a great achievement to have a Filipino maid in one's abode.

Further, they are found to be full of life and bursting with enthusiasm, even if they are assigned to do some dirty jobs. They seldom ever complain, and they can work for very long hours from dawn to midnight. Moreover, they can do a multitude of tasks, from babysitting, caregiving, cooking, and doing household chores. Because of these traits, they are very much admired not only by their foreign employers, but by almost everyone around the world.

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. - 15431

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