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An estimated ten million Filipinos, or around ten per cent of the population, provide much needed labour across the world.

Working as seafarers, nurses, doctors, or domestic helpers, their remittances play a vital role in the Philippines, providing over $15bn to the economy.

For their families at home, their salaries help pay for household expenses, schooling, and the setting up of small businesses.

But overseas Filipino workers pay a huge price for this economic stability – spending years away from their families. Others face abuse from unscrupulous employers.

Meanwhile, by sending out skilled workers across the world, the Philippines suffers a brain drain at home, hitting the country's health care, education systems and technical industries.

But according to some economists, successive governments have become dependant on the huge flow of money overseas workers send home.

On this edition of 101 East we ask to what extent are overseas remittances helping or hurting the Philippines?

This episode of 101 East aired from Thursday, October 9, 2008.