REMITTANCE FIRM SURVEY REVEALS
MOST Filipino workers living in the United States are overqualified for the jobs they do, according to respondents of a survey conducted by international money transfer firm Transfast.
In a survey of 400 Philippine natives who live in the United States and remit money back home, more than 80 percent said they possess more skills than what is required in their jobs; 72 percent said workplaces in America are more stressful than those they experienced in the Philippines.
Yet 93 percent of survey participants said they believe there are still more opportunities in their US jobs than those in the Philippines.
“What I have achieved here in the U.S., is a lot,” said respondent Joanna Loresto, 47, of San Rafael, California. “I just left my job and I’m so fortunate I could go wherever I want to, and employers will hire me. Owning a home, buying any car I want – I’m proud of it. I can give my son the best education. I have three siblings in the Philippines and a lot of cousins, and I’m thankful that I can be the one helping out.”
Respondent Ruben Espiritu, 56, of Garner, North Carolina also called the US the land of opportunity with many jobs available, but pointed out that the Philippine economy is improving.
“People who come here for work are playing vital economic roles by contributing to the U.S. economy and also adding to the GDP of their home country when they send money back to family and friends,” said Transfast CEO Samish Kumar.
The remittance firm conducted the same survey with respondents across all nationalities, noting a number of similarities with Filipino immigrants.
However, there were differences in responses about how much immigrants were expecting to earn versus what they expected (37 percent of overall immigrants said they were making what they expected, while 61 percent of Filipinos responded as such), and where they planned to retire.
Of the immigrants surveyed, 18 percent said they intend to retire in their home country. 53 percent of Filipinos said they plan on retiring in the Philippines, while 31 percent of Filipinos said they intend to retire in the United States.
