By HECTOR PASCUA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bireau, Austria
The announcement by the Arroyo government that inflation in the Philippines rose to 12.2 percent in July, the highest in almost 17 years and amid a rise in food and fuel prices, has shocked a number of average Filipino earners in Austria.
A Philippine National Bank official in Vienna told ABS-CBN News that this could be a big blow to overseas Filipino workers, many of whom take jobs as domestic helpers.
Raquel T., 45, has held such a job in Austria for 16 years. She earns about 600 Euros a month.
In peso terms, she earns P42,000, (1 Euro = 68 Pesos). She used to send P20,000 (300 Euros) a month home, but the higher living costs in Austria have cut that to P15,000 (220 Euros). In addition to this are the expenses for her personal needs such as apartment rent, food and other things. Raquel helps support her family in the Philippines – three are in college and her husband maintains a small welding shop.
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