The Dreams Of Being A Working Nurse Turns Sour -Ticket Canceled

[JJReyes]

I see it as the government stepping in to end indentured servitude. Nobody in the first world should have to have a rights group intervene on their behalf to obtain 1 day off a week, it should be a basic right.

My point is government interference is going to kill the Canadian goose that is laying golden eggs for Filipino caregivers. A child with disabilities may require 24/7 care. The preference is to care for the child at home rather than an institution where you may need more workers per child, including the person who spends all day doing the required government papework. If you own a dairy farm, you can't ask cows not to produce milk on Saturday because that is your day-off. One hundred years ago, hired ranch and farm workers were expected to work seven days a week. Some still do.

With the exception of the "Pride of Aloha," all cruise ships are foreign flag registry (Liberian, Panamaniam, etc.). They are required to follow US Coast Guard safety standards, but American labor laws do not apply. The manning crews, which include a significant number of Filipinos, work ten hours a day, seven days a week, for ten straight months. The average pay (not taxable in the United States and the Philippines)is between $2,000 to $3,000 per month. Because food, uniforms, accommodations and airline tickets are provided, the annual take-home amount is $20,000 to $30,000. The worst cruise ship is the US registered, "Pride of Aloha." That's another story.

Yes. The work is grueling, maybe inhuman by Western standards. This same person may have to work in a similar manner in the Philippines, except the daily wage is only P200 to P350.

Edited July 7, 2012 by JJR

[i am bob]

My point is government interference is going to kill the Canadian goose that is laying golden eggs for Filipino caregivers. A child with disabilities may require 24/7 care. The preference is to care for the child at home rather than an institution where you may need more workers per child, including the person who spends all day doing the required government papework.

24/7 care is no problem... It just requires more people to cover the time others are on days off. The payout is the same. I don't see where there is another requirement for someone to spend the day doing paperwork all day long though. If the person being cared for is in a medical facility, they are doing the paperwork on everybody. And they still perform functions on the floor. My sister is an RN in a Seniors Home for the Sisters of one of the Catholic orders... She does it all. If a child is at home and requires care, then the parents are responsible for the administrative other than the medical side which is completed by an RN if medical conditions are so extreme. This I know from personal experience through my own daughter. By the way, my daughter is now 28 years old and lives in a group home for young adults with medical issues. She also works full time in a facility for adults who cannot work in a traditional setting due to physical capabilities. And she through both she still receives assistance through several caregivers. A couple are from the Philippines and love their jobs. Why? Because they now receive a normal pay for the position and only work a 40 hour week - though they often stay on Friday night at the group home to help with Happy Hour (I know... cheap beer! hehe!) as well as Thursday night (Bingo), Wednesday night (they have their own bowling alley), Tuesday night (card night), Monday night (just sit around and chat and play games night) and Sunday (church service). It has become one big family for my daughter and fellow residents.