Pinoys in Austria feel crisis, too
by HECTOR PASCUA, ABS-CBN News - Austria | 02/28/2009 10:57 PM
Filipinos in Austria are feeling the effects of the global financial crisis with companies resorting to cost-cutting measures to survive.
“I am working for a big American car company operating on the suburban district in Vienna. Since this so-called financial global crisis started, workers here are being lessened, kasama na dito ang mga Filipino,” said Alvin Samonte.
Samonte empathized with the thousands of workers, including Filipinos who have been displaced by the crisis.
“I understand that losing a job is really a hard blow, considering we have families in the Philippines who depend on us. Most of my friends who lost their jobs do not want to go back home, they are still hoping to get new jobs here. Most of them got two months' salary and gratuity and were offered some financial help, pero hanggang kailan ito?” Samonte added.
In a recent report, President Arroyo stated during a national convention of local government executives in Cagayan de Oro that some 5,500 overseas Filipino workers have lost their jobs abroad and returned home over the past four months. A number of them worked in the export sectors of electronics, auto parts, garments and mining.
Boom to bust
Angelino Reyes related that 15 years ago, when he came to Austria to join his Nanette his wife and two kids, they had little savings and extra money.
“Life was booming during that time. With my little salary as bellboy in a prestigious hotel in the city, and with the salary of my wife, who is still working as a nurse in a hospital here, we were able to augment the family income. Everything was within our reach, as how it was with all other Austrians,” Reyes told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Now, because of the present global economic crisis, Reyes has to reduce his working time in the hotel. Because of this, the family has become more conscious of their savings.
“At the moment we don’t have plans to visit the Philippines. We have to lessen also the luxuries that we used to enjoy. It is also our wish to our relatives in the Philippines who are still depending on our financial support, that they may also understand our situation if we could not send money regularly,” Reyes said.
Family first
A Filipino fastfood worker in Vienna who only gave her first name said the needs of her family come first.
“Of course, I feel obliged to support my family back home because of this undeclared responsibility drummed into my system by my parents na kailangang tumulong kasi ako ang nakakaluwag. Unfortunately, I am the one who struggles sometimes dahil inuuna ko ang remittance for them. Then, whatever is left behind, yun ang pinagkakasya ko. Truly, it is really very hard to choose between surviving here with the little luxuries I can afford and sending the money home instead so that my nephews and nieces could afford the education,” Lorna said.
But due to the financial crisis, Lorna may soon minimize her remittances since the company has reduced her working hours, too.
Meanwhile, Andreas Pirchl, an Austrian married to a Filipina is also worried.
“My wife is from the Philippines - we live in Austria. A big problem we are having with remittance is the fact that inflation in the Philippines is over 8% at the moment, coupled with the fall of the Euro. Two years ago the rate was just over 65 to 70 Pesos to one Euro; now, it is around 60. In this situation, the benefits of working abroad are lessened significantly,” said Pirchl.
Filipinos in Austria are feeling the effects of the global financial crisis with companies resorting to cost-cutting measures to survive.
“I am working for a big American car company operating on the suburban district in Vienna. Since this so-called financial global crisis started, workers here are being lessened, kasama na dito ang mga Filipino,” said Alvin Samonte.
Samonte empathized with the thousands of workers, including Filipinos who have been displaced by the crisis.
“I understand that losing a job is really a hard blow, considering we have families in the Philippines who depend on us. Most of my friends who lost their jobs do not want to go back home, they are still hoping to get new jobs here. Most of them got two months' salary and gratuity and were offered some financial help, pero hanggang kailan ito?” Samonte added.
In a recent report, President Arroyo stated during a national convention of local government executives in Cagayan de Oro that some 5,500 overseas Filipino workers have lost their jobs abroad and returned home over the past four months. A number of them worked in the export sectors of electronics, auto parts, garments and mining.
Boom to bust
Angelino Reyes related that 15 years ago, when he came to Austria to join his Nanette his wife and two kids, they had little savings and extra money.
“Life was booming during that time. With my little salary as bellboy in a prestigious hotel in the city, and with the salary of my wife, who is still working as a nurse in a hospital here, we were able to augment the family income. Everything was within our reach, as how it was with all other Austrians,” Reyes told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Now, because of the present global economic crisis, Reyes has to reduce his working time in the hotel. Because of this, the family has become more conscious of their savings.
“At the moment we don’t have plans to visit the Philippines. We have to lessen also the luxuries that we used to enjoy. It is also our wish to our relatives in the Philippines who are still depending on our financial support, that they may also understand our situation if we could not send money regularly,” Reyes said.
Family first
A Filipino fastfood worker in Vienna who only gave her first name said the needs of her family come first.
“Of course, I feel obliged to support my family back home because of this undeclared responsibility drummed into my system by my parents na kailangang tumulong kasi ako ang nakakaluwag. Unfortunately, I am the one who struggles sometimes dahil inuuna ko ang remittance for them. Then, whatever is left behind, yun ang pinagkakasya ko. Truly, it is really very hard to choose between surviving here with the little luxuries I can afford and sending the money home instead so that my nephews and nieces could afford the education,” Lorna said.
But due to the financial crisis, Lorna may soon minimize her remittances since the company has reduced her working hours, too.
Meanwhile, Andreas Pirchl, an Austrian married to a Filipina is also worried.
“My wife is from the Philippines - we live in Austria. A big problem we are having with remittance is the fact that inflation in the Philippines is over 8% at the moment, coupled with the fall of the Euro. Two years ago the rate was just over 65 to 70 Pesos to one Euro; now, it is around 60. In this situation, the benefits of working abroad are lessened significantly,” said Pirchl.
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