What Bangladesh may learn from the Philippines

Last month this writer spent busy 15 days in Manila, capital of the Philippines. He was invited by the MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) of the Philippines to assist them in proper implementation of the STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers) 1978, as amended.
The Philippines now provides more seafarers to the world of shipping than any other country. Recently the EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) made a few visits to the Philippines to assess their training and certification system for the purpose of continued recognition of their certificates by the EU states. The EMSA made certain observations and the government of the Philippines took them seriously. They called this scribe perhaps because of his past experience as deputy chief examiner of the UK-MCA, one of the lead nations within the EU to successfully implement the 1995 version of the Convention soon after its adoption. This was not the first visit of this writer to Manila. He went there twice before.
However, the present article does not focus much about seafarers' training and certification. It's all about the OFW (overseas Filipino workers).
The Filipino seafarers around the world outnumber those from any other country. They are also the number one in nursing service. In the hospitals of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, perhaps about 80 per cent nurses are from the Philippines. Even in Britain, they would number about 20 per cent of total nurses employed by the NHS (National Health Service). Those who travel abroad through the Middle East (via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain) must have seen all the duty-free shops in the airports being manned by young Filipino girls. At this moment, the biggest construction boom is going on in Qatar in preparation of the World Cup Football. There one can see a large number of carpenters, fitters, plumbers, electricians, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics and engineers and technicians working for fire protection, prevention, detection, alarm and sprinkler system.
The Philippines has achieved this success through years of careful planning. Today in respect of overseas earning, the country's position is only next to India and China. Their GDP (per head/per capita) is $2760 and the GDP growth is higher (3 per cent more) than inflation. In our sub-continent, only Sri Lanka has GDP per head higher than that of the Philippines. The DOLE (Department of Labour and Employment), the PRC (Professional Regulatory Commission) and the COHE (Commission on Higher Education) work together very closely to develop and deliver specialised courses to meet the global market demand.
On the streets of Dhaka we cannot avoid signboards of various universities. This is not the case in the Philippines. They do not have so many universities. They have, in every district, one or two vocational colleges like our polytechnics. These colleges produce thousands of skilled workers for home and abroad. The courses even cover cooking, house-keeping, hair dressing, front desk receptionist to provide first hand information and administrative and office assistants. They all come out skilled in their own fields and they do not have to sit idle. Even the domestic aids from the Philippines can communicate in excellent English and can operate computer (IT).
The entire manpower business is privately owned and operated. Sometimes the agents of recruiters get specific orders from abroad and arrange specialised courses to be developed through government approval and delivered through registered vocational colleges. The government maintains strict supervision and control to ensure that prospective employees are never cheated or deprived. However, the government does not engage itself in any business.
During this writer's stay in the Philippines, he read at least two English newspapers everyday. They are much ahead in democratic and political culture. They never use abusive language against political opponents. They are much more cultured and civilised. There is no student group like Chatra League, Chatra Dal, Shibir etc. The young generation is busy in acquiring knowledge for their future. They have no time for anything that is rubbish.
We all know that two big contributing factors to our economic success are the garment industry powered by workers and the remittances by our overseas workers. Yet they are the most neglected people in the society. Our overseas workers deserve a warm welcome when they return home. Instead they are taken for a ride by almost everyone in the airport - immigration, security, police, customs, etc. We have heard about some sarcastic remarks and harassment. Those from Sylhet are subjected to all sorts of ridicules just because they cannot speak clear Bangla. This is one reason why Sylhetis now want a direct flight to Sylhet (only to avoid Dhaka). In most of the fire incidents in garment industry, the doors have been found locked with no chance for the workers to escape death. This is how we treat those who form the backbone of our economy.
Treatment of workers is different in the Philippines. The OFWs are held with respect. They receive preferential treatment everywhere. In the airports, there are several counters reserved for them so that they never have to wait a minute extra. They receive Mabuhay (gorgeous welcome) treatment. As a matter of fact, we came to know about OFWs and Mabuhay right from the airport.
Bangladesh has a lot to learn from the Philippines especially in respect of vocational qualifications so that we can have more skilled and competent manpower for export. Medicines are found very expensive in the Philippines. Perhaps our pharmaceutical industry could take the initiative to set up joint venture industries in the Philippines. Let us benefit from each other's experiences.
[email protected]