EVERY May 1st, the Philippines celebrates Labor Day, most commonly known in Filipino as ‘Araw ng Manggagawa’, honoring the dedication and resilience of Filipino workers across the globe. The first celebration dates back to 1903, when over a hundred thousand workers marched to demand fair labor practices and improved working conditions from the American-led government. This historic demonstration laid the foundation for what is now a national celebration of the Filipino workforce's resilience, honor, and perseverance.

     Through the flow of time, does the message of the celebration of its day remain the same? Labor is known to be the driving force behind the cogs and gears of our society, centering on economic growth. In the field of labor, the service sector significantly contributes to the economic growth of the country—keeping the wheel of the economy turning—yet it is often overlooked, with the said sector comprising of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), as well as those who work in retail, tourism, and transportation.

     OFWs, often deemed as the pillars of the service sector, with an estimated 61.6%, highlighting the significant portion of Filipinos employed in foreign countries to support their own families, totalling 48.5 million, as of February 2025. Known for sending remittances totaling over $40 billion annually and helping stabilize the Philippine peso, OFWs serve as the backbone of the nation’s economy. However, behind this great triumph, there lies a broader story that is not seen or given attention. Their significant struggle, such as sacrificing their time, being separated from their respective families, and the continuous struggle for attaining justice and respect from foreign countries.

Their multifaceted struggles often impact their health, whether physically or mentally, the economic well-being of those who are dependent on them,  as well as their strained dynamics with their family and children.

Authenticity of the Experience

     In a 2021 study conducted by Cleofas, the pandemic created mental turmoil among the OFWs by always feeling anxious regarding the condition of their family here in the Philippines, and being apart from their family created a disruption in their relations and dynamics as a family. However, despite these setbacks, the families are still able to connect through the use of the internet. The families still try to communicate regularly with their respective families, maintaining strong communication and emotional bonds despite the distance. 

     From a more recent perspective, a recent study conducted by Dayan Ramoran of the Lyceum-Northwestern University shows that the migration of OFWs covers both positive and negative aspects of the experiences of the families being left behind. The findings of the study provided that even though remittances offer financial stability, the loss of a parent, mothers in particular, causes emotional distress, makes it harder for the kids to succeed in school, and adds to the fathers' caring responsibilities. 

What we are known for

     Filipinos, often tied with the idea of working in the field of healthcare and domestic services, are known to be globally recognized for being resilient, kind, and hardworking people who are prepared to make significant sacrifices for the benefit of their family. In a family, you’ll often meet someone once in a while at every family reunion. An OFW who went home to the Philippines to take a vacation for a month or two. Due to the power of the dollar, Filipino workers opt to work in a foreign land to pursue better salaries, more career and economic opportunities, and a second chance to provide a better life for their families. 

     We cannot dispute that there are respective struggles being faced by the migration of Filipino workers to a foreign land for both the worker and their families, with the workers experiencing a new taste of a land that feels unfamiliar to them, adjusting to a brand new language, compelled to work long hours, and most often than not, being targeted by discriminatory practices and prejudice. Simultaneously, the families that are left behind are often faced with struggles as well. Due to the prolonged absence and distance from their parents and loved ones, their families are often bombarded with instability by losing the other half of their support system, with the difficulty of sustaining their connection and relationship with them, hence, leading to a disruption in their emotional development.

     As we commemorate the significant event of Labor Day or Araw ng Manggagawa, it is imperative to take into account the more profound realities that Filipino workers, especially those who work far from home, face in addition to honoring their bravery and sacrifices. Often overlooked or disregarded as the remittance makers of our country, these resilient workers are more than just workers. They are heroes, whether for their family or not, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) remain the thread that holds the labor force together. In these fiber threads of hard work, resilience, and honor, there lies a deeper story that is felt beyond words.