A report from Philstar Biz examines the financial burdens that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) carry even before leaving the country. The initial costs—ranging from recruitment fees to travel expenses and training—often require them to take on significant debt before earning their first paycheck abroad.
Beyond the upfront payments, many OFWs manage remittances to support families back home while still paying off loans taken for deployment. The article notes that a typical job placement can cost between PHP 10,000 and PHP 80,000 depending on the destination and industry, with some workers borrowing from informal lenders at high interest rates.
The report highlights that careful financial planning and access to affordable credit are crucial for OFWs to avoid being trapped in a cycle of debt. Industry observers suggest that government and private sector programs offering pre-departure loans and financial literacy training could help ease the initial burden on overseas workers.