Stealing our jobs?

Before we start accusing Chinese nationals of stealing Filipinos’ jobs, we have to look at ourselves first!

Filipinos are notorious for jumping ship or overstaying their visas, given the right conditions in countries they perceive as something that represents economic opportunity.

The Chinese being accused of stealing jobs from Filipinos require something that most Filipinos do not possess, and that is fluency in the Chinese language.

Related to this is understanding various Chinese cultural norms required in customer service. So how are they stealing work again?

Chinese Filipinos control our economy, and most fill top positions in many companies, while some leave for greener pastures overseas, probably including China.

If there are segments directly affected, they probably number less than the fingers we have in one hand.

These call centers that cater to mainland China pay for both business and residential rent, pay sales taxes on their local expenditures, etc., and help the economy overall.

I don’t think their presence is a big deal, unless they are doing nefarious activities.

JOSE SANTAMARIA, j_e_santamaria@hotmail.com