This seems to be true for our Pinoy nurses no matter where they are. Much more apt to those I have met here in the UK. They left Pinas because their salaries cannot support them and their families. Staying in Pinas meant their dreams will remain just that. Our nurses in the Middle East moved here, too.

When the UK opened its doors, those “lucky” Pinoys did all they could to come over. Some are still trying to get in eventhough NHS has stopped hiring. Those who have been here for 4-5 years are now either permanent residents or are British citizens. I’m sure at least 80-90% of them have debt in the form of loans (for that mansion in Pinas) and multiple credit/store cards, or even a mortgage and/or a new car.

However, they also realise that the health service in the United Kingdom is akin to that of Pinas – it’s very low-paid. Unlike the fire service, they cannot go on strike to demand more money. So they are stuck. Then it hit most of them that the cost of living is “too high”, especially since everyone insists on living in & around London. Add to the fact that the culture is quite different from that of their real American dream.

So we have a list of enumerable complaints. The houses are too small. The facilities are antiquated. The weather sucks (compared to California). The cars are too expensive. Applying for a decent mortgage is near impossible. All these are heard everywhere from every Filipinos’ mouth, of course those are in comparison to the lives of their bros/sis/cousins in America, in Canada, or in Australia.

I have a number of friends who flew to America and Oz and many are to follow this year, their kids in tow. There goes the noc Filipino again searching for a better life. But is it really that bad? Here we get free medical and dental (to an extent for adults, free for kids til 18 y/o). We now have 1 year maternity leave with pay, paternity leave has been extended to 3 months. We have parental leaves. Most companies do not impose a set number of allowable sick leave. We have proper bank holidays and nurses are allowed 1 month vacations where they have a total of more than 35 days off in a year! Yes sometimes education sucks, but it’s the same anywhere. You have to find your child a decent school (free or semi-private or private). Eventhough it’s a common notion that Europe has far to go in terms of racial equality, there is racial integration in London and Human Rights count for something not just lip service.

It boils down to contentment. It is difficult to please everyone & of course if you don’t feel comfortable where you are, you move. I’m just thinking that some Pinoys seem very difficult to please. Or perhaps some of them didn’t know what they were getting themselves into when they jumped on their first plane to UK. Let’s hope they know now.