Uncle Sam and Tito Pidro
By Rolo B. Cena
Arabian Diaries
The recent US financial crisis, which sends almost everybody down the dumps, signals a stern warning to every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the world. And whether it is Uncle Sam or Tito Pidro, it doesn’t make any difference at all. The crisis befalls to everybody; not even the petite lady in the Imperial Manila is spared.
Without batting an eyelash, one can definitely give a correct answer to this 25th-century question: did the peso maintain its position against the ailing dollars?
There is no doubt about the ill-effects of the crisis: terrestrial giants and broadsheets publishers post this “cup of tea” daily that it further adds fuel to the fire.
The entire world must have heard of the almost 5,000 contract workers laid off from the economic basket of Dubai with one of the leading financial institution taking the lead of about 2,000 employees dismissed.
The plight of Filipino contract workers who entered Iran from the backdoor in the hopes of entering Iraq for an enormous pay claimed an unwanted toll in the history of human trafficking. Hundreds of them were forced to share rooms or beds and food in exchange for waiting for working visas.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Filipinos are complaining about economic austerity measures imposed and implemented by some companies. About a week ago, more than five (500) Filipinos went home jobless from the Kingdom due to discontinuance of operation. Overtime is controlled especially in the production or operation site; never-have-been-done-in-KSA cost cutting measures were implemented, working hours were increased to abolish one shift; no bonuses are to be granted; salary increases are pending subject to management mercy; no promotions; and some companies floated the idea of freezing hiring activities.
Although all these are new in the talent industry and in the history of the Kingdom, some Filipinos and other nationals are the feeling this and in fact, project that soon, the entire kingdom will adapt.
The grapevine tells us that with Obama elected to the White House, the US economy will improve before the end of the second half next year. This is an unsolicited analysis, I believe, but let’s keep our fingers crossed because, no matter what people say, America controls the world.
One proof: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the richest country in the world but its economy is slowly affected; its currency dwindling; prices of prime commodities rising; rents rising; labor packages affected
What is the consequence?
The Filipino talent market, which supplies 70% of the total contract wok force, is compromised, too. Talent exportation will definitely slow down; correspondingly, manpower pooling will be stiff. The monthly remittance of the earners will reduce.
This is not only true to all “kababayans” in the kingdom; this is true to all overseas contract workers.
Which is why, we need to tighten our belt this time once again. Don’t tell me you are not affected or, this crisis is not affecting your household yet. Definitely, the effect will befall.
This is another danger zone most contract workers are entering into: bleak and uncertain. The only hope is to finish the contract with the heart in order not too feel the pressure consequentially brought about by this crisis.
Everybody dreams of America: America is falling once again. It has once fallen due to 911 incident. It has fallen again.
Snap advice: trim down costs, and work on budget. Whether you are in the “land of milk and honey” or in the “Kingdom of black gold,” it doesn’t make any difference. Earlier I said, wherever you are, you are dealing with the consequence. Whether you are Uncle Sam or Tito Pidro, you have no choice.
But flexible as we are, Filipinos, let’s firmly stand head up and face the challenge. We did that when we united to terminate the three-century old Spanish regime; we fused our efforts in the 1986 EDSA People Power to oust the dictator. What more can we do to prove to the world that crisis are but our “cup of tea” served daily in the ordinary Filipino dining table.
Mabuhay ka, kabayan!
Published, Dumaguete Star Informer, Sunday, 30 November 2008
