I don't disagree with what you say but it's relative, i.e. lots of taxes to pay here and on the whole I'd say the majority of day to day items in PI are a quarter of the cost of those in the UK.
I'd be interested to know what kind of salaries are being paid to a normal middle class experienced professionals in the Philippines these days, some years ago I had lawyer friends working for less than that, and I know of at least one software company who were paying experienced programmers about 25,000 PHP a month. I also got chatting to a Filipino chap (Fil-Am) on a flight back in about 2007, he worked for eBay/PayPal Philippines in a fairly senior type of role and was at that time on about 3 million PHP per annum, he works for Microsoft now Are there many professional Filipino's that can earn that kind of money these days? Or would that chap still be very much an exception?
I agree with Rob, Swansea is a nice medium-sized provincial city but if you take a job there, I'd advise you living west of the city, across the border in Carmarthenshire. The area around Laugharne - pronounced 'larn' - is really quiet beautiful and the Boat House in Laugharne is where Wales' famous son lived the last four years of his tragically-short life (from 1949 to 1953); it's now a B and B.
Yes, but there's also a saying about us Filipinos. 'In times of great distress, a Filipino can survive with just water, rice and some fish-bones alone.' Around 20 to 30K PHP a month, with someone of my skills and experience. I earned 30K gross as Business Development Manager. But like I said that's gross. The income tax here in the Philippines is 32%. And I am one of the exceptions (because I do a very good salary talk. Hahahahah...). Most of skilled graduates now (finished college/university in Philippines) end up working in call-centres/business outsourcing. The average salary is around 10K PHP. That Fil-Am gent you mentioned is not only an exception, but a person whose job you aspire for. 3 Million pesos a year are only earned by executives of major companies in the Philippines. That is actually the salary range offered to me back in Australia by a mining company in Barrow Island. Except it's for an entry-position. Hence why I'm doing anything I can- short of killing myself, to get my UK passport.
I don't mind working. I don't mind toiling, sweating, stress, or getting lack of sleep. As long as I can earn something equivalent to that hard work. I will never get that here in the Philippines. I have experienced great poverty. I've been in the slums. I never want to experience that ever again.
Thanks, I thought was still the case, my lot don't know how well off they are, the monthly allowance is quite a bit more than your gross pay and she has no bills as I pay everything remotely.
You have my sympathy, the people of the Philippines are simply exploited by business, both home grown and foreign
I have already realised that ever since I was a child. If a business here in the Philippines is not owned by a Chinese, Japanese or a Korean, chances are an American owns it. And they count every second of your work, but short change you when they can. Hahahahahah... Hence why I'm looking for opportunities overseas. I only have two assets. First, I was able to earn an education from a university in Australia. Second, that I'm part-British, which will allow me to get a UK passport. A UK passport will allow me to travel anywhere. Those two assets will allow me to seek employment anywhere across the globe. I won't be stuck in this little sandbox I call the Philippines. With a UK passport, the world itself will be a playground.
My daughter who is seven next month has a UK passport (now expired) but sadly because of the UK rules that existed when my son was born he does not. Get that passport and get out and see the world, it is a big place, but a 14 month wait for a passport to be issued is just ridiculous on the part of the UK.
From what I've heard, HMPO has deemed the Philippines as a 'high-risk country' because of possible frauds. Which I understand to a fault. But 14 months is 14 months. I just hope they make up their damn minds. Hahahahahah... Your daughter though would probably find it much easier, since hers would just be a renewal. I'm actually being offered an emergency travel document by HMPO. Which I'm now seriously thinking of taking, if this goes on longer. Hence, also why I've began this thread and asking about life in the UK. I don't want to just rush into something without making some sort of plan.
There's 10% of the population called OFW's as well you know that do quite well with just a Filipino passport. The education is the key not the passport.
The average salary is around 10K PHP. blimey--i was paying my lady that as a monthly allowance last year.
Hence the intense competition for foreign boyfriends. If a lady can manage two at a time, so much the better and if the foreign boyfriend pays her more than she needs she will hire a local punk as a gigolo (a "side line") as well.
