Is There A Trend in Filipino Domestic Services in Ghana?
A week ago I was tuned into Citi FM during the usual morning school drop off. The Citi Breakfast Show was on and Bernard Avle and his team were hotly discussing how more Ghanaians need to patronize local tourist sites and experiences. A fellow listener, sent a message through their Whatsapp portal on how Ghanaians prefer anything foreign than their own and gave an example of the rise in Filipino’s in Ghana due to demand for their domestic services.
I wasn’t exactly shocked like you are. I have actually seen several female Asian nannies and housekeepers in the Labone and Cantonment areas going on strolls with a baby pram. Even though these weren’t Ghanaian babies, it’s still evidence of a growing influx of Filipinos coming into Ghana to be hired as domestic staff whilst Ghanaians are already providing same services. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t illegal in any way but it creates conversations on the subject of “Why aren’t our people being hired for these services? Wouldn’t it be more cost effective using local services?” Someone would argue that “but Ghanaian domestic staff are not reliable, they leave anytime and anyhow they like, they don’t do the work and cause all kinds of issues. So if the Filipino women are reliable and more professional, why not?“
Let me give you some background to why this may be happening. Did you know the Philipines has about 172,000 of its people leaving their home country to other countries to seek greener pastures every year? The country has many economic struggles. Women form a larger demography and engage in domestic work and according to this research by the ILO, majority earn more abroad and are able to send money back home to support their families. There’s a great Filipino Community here in Ghana created by PILSAG which was formed by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s).
My first time experience with Filipinos was in Dubai. I was actually blown away by how demure they were whenever I stepped into a shop in a mall or a beauty shop, as if i had a million dollars in my account. After experiencing poor customer service in Ghana for how many years, shopping in Dubai was such a breath of fresh air because of these Asian women who would make you feel at home irrespective of your skin colour. I entered a beauty salon to trim my busy eyebrows and they suggested I thread it. I had never heard of threading, this was 2010 so I was a bit anxious but they were so smiley I couldn’t help but give it a try. The speed at which she finished, it was only a twinge and she was done! I left feeling like a queen!
Globally, Filipino workers are known to be quick learners, easily adapting to new environments, hard workers and are team-focused. This work ethic is apparently due to cultural, social and economic factors. They hold fast to their cultural values which places emphasis on family and community and looking out for one another.
When I searched online, many people agree on these benefits of hiring Filipino staff:
Cost-Effectiveness: Hiring Filipino staff can significantly reduce labour costs compared to many countries. The cost of living in the Philippines is lower, which often translates into more affordable salaries without compromising on quality.
Strong English Proficiency: Filipinos generally have a high level of proficiency in English, which facilitates communication and collaboration with international teams. This can enhance productivity and reduce misunderstandings in projects.
Cultural Compatibility: The Philippines has a culture that is generally receptive to other cultural ideals and practices. This cultural alignment can lead to smoother interactions, improved teamwork, and an easier integration into diverse work environments.
Work Ethic and Loyalty: Filipino workers are often noted for their strong work ethic, dedication, and loyalty to their employers. This can result in lower turnover rates and a more stable workforce, contributing positively to the overall productivity of an organisation.
So let me ask you, would you hire a Filipino worker for your startup as a Ghanaian? Especially knowing their work ethic? What are your thoughts on the state of Ghanaians in domestic services?
