In April 2025 session of the Lunch & Learn series, researchers Nellie Alcaraz and Yasmeen Khan traced the historical roots and ongoing implications of the Philippines’ Labour Export Policy (LEP), highlighting its enduring impact on Filipino migrant workers, particularly within Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Historical and Structural Context of the Labour Export Policy
The LEP was instituted in the 1970s under President Ferdinand Marcos’s regime as a response to escalating unemployment and economic instability. This policy was not merely a temporary solution but became a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, institutionalizing labour migration as a state strategy. The 1974 Labour Code formalized this approach, embedding labour exports into national economic planning.
The roots of this policy can be traced back to the country’s colonial history, marked by land dispossession and economic structures favouring foreign interests. These historical factors contributed to systemic poverty and underdevelopment, compelling the government to promote overseas employment to generate remittances and alleviate domestic economic pressures.
Labour Migration as an Economic Model
Today, the Philippines continues to rely heavily on labour exportations, with approximately 7,000 Filipinos leaving the country daily in search of employment abroad. Prospective migrant workers are often required to pay substantial pre-departure fees to various institutions, including recruitment agencies and government bodies. While these remittances bolster the national economy, the workers themselves frequently encounter exploitation, limited access to social services, and inadequate legal protections.
Khan emphasized that without a sustainable and self-reliant economic foundation, the Philippine state will continue to rely on exporting human resources, often at the expense of workers’ rights and well-being.
Canada’s Role in Temporary Work
In Canada, many Filipino workers are employed under the TFWP, which is characterized by low-wage employment and employer-specific work permits, commonly known as closed work permits. These permits tie workers to a single employer, restricting their mobility and making them vulnerable to exploitation. Although the program aims to address labour shortages, it often denies workers meaningful access to rights, services, and protections.
A United Nations report has criticized aspects of the TFWP, describing it as a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery,” citing systemic exploitation and power imbalances that favour employers (Obokata, 2024).
Organizing, Advocacy, and Policy
Alcaraz and Khan highlighted the critical role of community-led advocacy and organizing in addressing these systematic issues. Groups such as Migrante Alberta and the International Migrants Alliance are actively campaigning for policy reforms, including:
- Granting permanent residency to all migrant workers
- Abolishing closed work permits
- Ensuring access to healthcare and education for all
- Promoting greater transparency, accountability, and respect from both sending and receiving countries
These advocacy efforts aim to shift the narrative from viewing migrant workers merely as economic contributors to recognizing them as individuals with rights and dignity.
Conclusion
The discussion led by Alcaraz and Khan underscores the complex interplay between historical policies and contemporary labour practices. The Philippines’ reliance on labour exportation, rooted in its colonial past and economic challenges, continues to shape the experiences of Filipino migrant workers globally. In Canada, programs like the TFWP reflect and perpetuate these dynamics, often to the detriment of the workers involved.
Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, including policy reforms, community advocacy, and a reevaluation of economic models that prioritize human rights and equitable development.
The Lunch & Learn series is a monthly virtual gathering hosted by the Newcomer Knowledge Hub. We provide informative presentations delivered by experts in the settlement sector. Whether you are a service provider, policymaker, student, or simply curious about the world of settlement, we invite you to join us at our next session by registering here. If you missed this session, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay connected!
Obokata, T. (2024, July 22). Visit to Canada: Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences. United Nations Human Rights Council.
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