15 NATIONS That Regret Kicking Out FILIPINOS

Summary

This video explores the consequences faced by 15 nations that regretted sending Filipino workers home. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar initially thought they could replace skilled Filipino workers, only to face worker shortages, economic downturns, and healthcare crises. From healthcare to hospitality, manufacturing, and domestic work, Filipinos have proven to be essential to these economies. The video shows how these countries, after struggling with labor gaps, eventually reversed their decisions and re-welcomed Filipino workers, acknowledging their irreplaceable value in various industries.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many countries have tried to reduce or remove Filipino workers, only to regret their decisions due to the essential roles these workers play in various industries.
• 😀 Filipino workers have been crucial in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, construction, and domestic work across the globe.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia faced a healthcare crisis after imposing restrictions on Filipino workers, leading to a shortage of skilled medical staff and a reversal of the policy.
• 😀 Kuwait suffered a nationwide labor shortage in domestic work and healthcare after a diplomatic dispute with the Philippines led to a ban on Filipino workers.
• 😀 Qatar's economy, particularly in hospitality and aviation, faced a downturn when they lost Filipino workers, prompting the country to reopen recruitment to Filipinos.
• 😀 The UAE experienced delays in construction projects and a shortage of healthcare workers after Filipino workers were forced to return home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 😀 Malaysia’s service industry suffered a decline in quality after Filipino workers were forced to leave due to tighter labor laws, leading to the country eventually seeking them back.
• 😀 Japan's elderly care system faced severe shortages after the government restricted the entry of Filipino caregivers, leading to the easing of those restrictions in 2018.
• 😀 Singapore's domestic work and healthcare sectors were severely impacted when the country closed borders to Filipino workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but reversed the policy as the shortage became evident.
• 😀 South Korea's manufacturing and industrial sectors saw production delays and financial losses when the country limited Filipino workers, leading to a relaxation of work restrictions in 2016.
• 😀 Many countries, like Italy, Canada, and the US, have faced healthcare worker shortages when Filipino nurses were restricted or limited, leading to policy changes and the re-hiring of Filipinos.
• 😀 Filipino workers are in high demand because of their unmatched skills, dedication, and work ethic, and countries that tried to replace them have realized they cannot function without them.

Q & A

Why did Saudi Arabia experience a healthcare crisis after sending Filipino workers home?

Saudi Arabia heavily relied on Filipino healthcare workers, especially nurses and caregivers. In 2011, when stricter policies forced many Filipinos to leave, the country faced a massive shortage of skilled healthcare workers, leading to hospitals struggling to provide proper care. Eventually, Saudi Arabia reversed its decision and began recruiting Filipinos again.

What led to Kuwait's labor shortage and how did it impact the country?

In 2018, a diplomatic dispute between the Philippines and Kuwait led to a total ban on Filipino workers. The country tried to replace them with workers from other countries, but this resulted in a national labor shortage, particularly in domestic work, healthcare, and skilled professions. Kuwait had to negotiate with the Philippines and lift the ban in 2020.

What happened to Qatar's hospitality and aviation industries after Filipinos left in 2017?

Qatar, which heavily relied on Filipino workers in hospitality and aviation, faced a crisis when many Filipinos left due to a diplomatic crisis. Hotels, airlines, and service industries struggled to maintain the same quality of service. By 2019, Qatar reopened its doors to Filipino workers, realizing their skills were irreplaceable.

What was the consequence of the UAE suspending work permits for Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The UAE suspended thousands of work permits for Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused immediate shortages in healthcare, construction, and hospitality sectors. This led to delays in major projects and a decline in service quality. By 2022, the UAE was actively recruiting Filipinos again.

How did Malaysia's service industry suffer after tightening its foreign labor laws in 2016?

Malaysia tightened foreign labor laws in 2016, causing many Filipinos to leave. The service industry faced significant consequences, including a decline in hotel quality, difficulties in restaurants keeping up with demand, and poor customer service in retail businesses. Within a few years, Malaysia reversed its policy and began recruiting Filipinos again.

What was the impact of Japan's stricter visa and language requirements on Filipino caregivers?

In 2010, Japan made it harder for Filipinos to enter the country as caregivers by imposing stricter visa and language requirements. This led to a shortage of caregivers, with elderly citizens receiving inadequate care. By 2018, Japan revised the rules, allowing more Filipino healthcare workers to enter the country.

What happened in Singapore's healthcare and domestic sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore imposed strict border controls, causing many Filipino workers to return home or be unable to renew contracts. This resulted in a crisis in both domestic work and healthcare, with families struggling to find quality domestic help and hospitals short-staffed. By late 2021, Singapore started recruiting Filipinos again, offering better pay and working conditions.

Why did Hong Kong struggle after trying to replace Filipino domestic workers in 2017?

Hong Kong tried to reduce its reliance on Filipino domestic workers in 2017 by promoting workers from other countries. This backfired as families complained about poor work ethic and professionalism. By 2019, Hong Kong quietly reversed its policies, and Filipinos remained the most preferred domestic workers in the region.

What was the result of South Korea tightening visa regulations for Filipino workers in the early 2010s?

South Korea tightened visa regulations for Filipino workers in the early 2010s, thinking that local workers could replace them or cheaper foreign labor could fill the gap. This led to labor shortages, delays in production, and financial losses in factories. By 2016, South Korea eased its restrictions and began recruiting Filipinos again.

How did the Philippines' restrictions on Filipino workers in Italy impact the caregiving industry?

In 2011, Italy implemented stricter immigration policies, forcing many Filipino caregivers to leave. This created a crisis in elderly care, as Italian families struggled to find caregivers with the same dedication and skill. By 2014, Italy softened its immigration policies, and Filipino workers returned to dominate the caregiving sector.

What happened in Canada when the country restricted Filipino nurses in the early 2000s?

Canada's restriction on Filipino nurses in the early 2000s led to a critical nursing shortage, as local nurses could not meet the demand. By 2015, Canada reversed its policies and began actively recruiting Filipino nurses again, recognizing their indispensable role in the healthcare system.

How did the U.S. healthcare system face a crisis due to limitations on Filipino nurses in the early 2010s?

In the early 2010s, the U.S. limited work visas for Filipino nurses, believing American nurses could replace them. This led to severe staff shortages in hospitals, and patient care suffered. By 2018, the U.S. reopened its doors to Filipino nurses, realizing that they were essential to the healthcare system.

What led to Spain's labor crisis in the mid-2000s and how did they address it?

In the mid-2000s, Spain introduced stricter work policies, reducing the number of visas for Filipino workers. This caused a labor crisis, as businesses struggled to find skilled workers. By 2015, Spain reversed its policies, and Filipino workers were once again in high demand.

How did Australia’s tightened skilled worker visa program in 2017 impact key industries?

In 2017, Australia tightened its skilled worker visa program, which resulted in shortages in industries like healthcare, construction, and hospitality that heavily relied on Filipino workers. By 2020, Australia had to reintroduce more immigration pathways to address these shortages.

Why did New Zealand’s agriculture and dairy industries suffer due to visa restrictions in 2018?

In 2018, New Zealand imposed new visa restrictions, reducing the number of Filipino workers in agriculture and dairy industries. This caused production drops and business struggles. By 2021, New Zealand reopened its doors to Filipino workers, recognizing their essential role in these industries.