Today we bring you an insightful video into the life of an OFW. Come see the challenges and rewards as Roger Parcon describes his experience being an overseas foreign worker.
Roger has been an overseas worker now for over 10 years. He first came overseas after his dreams of owning his own poultry farm for laying hens was devastated by lack in production due to a feed supplement scam. He had invested his lifetime savings into this business only to lose it all. With
little left in savings, he left his family and moved overseas to begin work.
little left in savings, he left his family and moved overseas to begin work.
Roger is married to a “wonderful and beautiful” wife. He has 4 adult children and 4 grand kids. He is happy to have achieved the status of “Lolo” or grandfather as we would call it in the States. He enjoys his time when he is home by spending time with his family and enjoys being an example to his
grand kids.
grand kids.
his specialty which include 747s, AN124s, A300s, IL76s and L100 aircraft. Each aircraft
having its own challenges while loading and or unloading.
having its own challenges while loading and or unloading.
Roger is an experienced operator of many of the equipment that is used for not only loading of the aircrafts but also delivering the shipments
to the customer. He is one of the main operators of the CHAMP 140 Main Deck Loader which is the primary loading system for the 747 which we handle here. He also drives the trucks and forklifts needed when out on deliveries. He is well rounded with his knowledge of the equipment and how to handle it safely.
to the customer. He is one of the main operators of the CHAMP 140 Main Deck Loader which is the primary loading system for the 747 which we handle here. He also drives the trucks and forklifts needed when out on deliveries. He is well rounded with his knowledge of the equipment and how to handle it safely.
Rodger’s main concern while working abroad is the time missed with his family. He counts the days (and possibly even the hours) he has to spend not being there with them. He finds that being overseas is a missed opportunity to spend quality time with the family. He feels that if there would be any way to avoid coming overseas to work and you could spend this time with your family, it would be the better choice.
Roger also hates the extreme temperature differencesexperienced where he is now working compared to the tropical climate of thePhilippines. The weather here can go from temperatures exceeding 120 degrees in
the summer to well below freezing in the winter. Roger never experienced snow before coming here. He stated that “it can snow from December to February”here. He always ensures he bundles up in layers of clothing when having to work
in the snow.
Roger does enjoy the fact that since working overseas he has gotten to visit some different countries he may never have been able to visitif not for working overseas. He has been to the war-torn countries like Afghanistan to traveling through the beautiful United Arab Emirates. Traveling through Dubai there are many malls, places to eat and things to see. He has also been to Thailand, Hong Kong and other countries while transiting back to
the Philippines.
the Philippines.
When asked what advice he would give to someone wanting to come overseas to work, he gave this bit of advice. “Always try and find a good company”. There are too many times an OFW has to return heartbroken with no money to show when they find poor employers. From bullying and abusive employers, poor housing to simply not getting their salaries on time are just a few of the concerns an OFW must face.
Rodger also suggested a strong “friendship ring” be established for those left at home. He is a Jehovah Witness and he concluded that the principles that were instilled in his family from the Bible studies attended have led them to keep on the right path. One of his favorite verses that he believes in states “Bad associations spoil good habits” 1COR 15:33.
