Notes on the Philippine Labor Brokerage State and Neoliberalism

Introduction to the Philippine Labor Brokerage State

• Background Context: The Philippines has developed a labor brokerage state, where the government mobilizes and exports its citizens as workers abroad.
• Philippine President's Role: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo referred to herself as the CEO of a global enterprise, emphasizing her role in facilitating the employment of Filipinos abroad, which generates significant revenue for the country.

The Concept of Labor Brokerage

• Definition: Labor brokerage involves sending nationals abroad for work while managing their remittances back home.
• Neoliberal Strategy: This approach reflects neoliberal practices, which prioritize profit generation and economic efficiency.
  • It allows the state to generate income through remittances and control labor outflows.
  • At the same time, it presents workers as a cheap and flexible labor force for foreign employers.

Historical Perspective

• Colonial Roots: The current labor export system can be traced back to the U.S. colonial period in the Philippines, which established a framework for labor mobility.
• Transition to Global Enterprise: Since colonial times, the Philippines has been focused on adapting its workforce for global labor markets, aligning national policies with international labor demands.

Characteristics of Filipino Workers

• Flexibility: Filipinos are seen as flexible employees, capable of working in various conditions.
• Top Occupations: Common job positions for overseas Filipino workers include household service workers, nurses, laborers, and skilled tradespeople (e.g., plumbers, electricians).
• Demographics: Trends indicate a shift where women's migration is increasing relative to men's, with many young adults leaving for overseas employment.

Economic Impacts of Labor Export

• Remittances as Economic Lifeblood: Remittances from overseas workers play a crucial role in the Philippine economy, making up a significant portion of foreign income.
  • In 2008, over $16 billion was remitted by Filipino workers abroad.
• Comparison to Other Exports: Remittances often surpass traditional export revenues from goods like clothing and electronic products, highlighting labor export's economic significance.

State Involvement in Migration

• Migration Policy: The Philippine state actively promotes labor migration, negotiating with other countries to secure employment opportunities for its citizens.
• Regulatory Framework: There is a structured government bureaucracy that oversees the training, deployment, and protection of migrant workers, despite facing various global immigration restrictions.

Neoliberal Governance and its Implications

• State’s Role Under Neoliberalism: The Philippines exemplifies how the state has adapted to serve neoliberal interests, facilitating labor export while reducing its domestic welfare responsibilities.
• Rights and Citizenry: Concepts of citizenship and rights are redefined in the context of labor brokerage, where overseas employment is framed as a national duty rather than an economic necessity.
  • New citizenship models emerge, promising protections for migrants but often falling short in covering their rights comprehensively.

Conclusion on Labor Brokerage Dynamics

• Global Supply Chain: The Philippines stands out as a critical player in the global labor market, providing a constant flow of workers to meet foreign demands for labor while managing the complexities of geopolitical relations.
• Social Tensions: The reliance on labor export raises concerns regarding social stability, as economic problems at home push citizens to seek opportunities abroad.
• Future Directions: Understanding the interplay between labor brokerage, neoliberalism, and migration policy in the Philippines is essential to grasp the broader implications of global labor dynamics in the contemporary world.