Group hits govt inefficiency in aiding OFWs in trouble

QUEZON CITY, Philippines- An officer of a migrant workers’ group criticized the government for inefficiency in handling cases faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), noting the case of yet another Filipina in the death row in the Middle East.

"We are put in the gallows one after another," said Ramon Bultron, managing director Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM), a Hong Kong-based group. "What is the government doing to assist them? And even more importantly, what actions are done to address the abusive conditions these OFWs are made to suffer from prior to their alleged crimes?"

Bultron’s reaction came at the heels of the conviction of domestic helper Jakatia Mandon Pawa last Sunday for the murderi of her employer's 21-year-old daughter, Dalal al-Naqi, in Kuwait.

Aside from Pawa, Marilou Ranario and May Vecina also face death by hanging – unless the Kuwaiti emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, commutes their sentences or the families of the victims forgive them.

"It is significant to note that the likes of Marilou Ranario, whose sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after intense pressure was exerted by OFWs around the world, and May Vecina has also undergone abuses," Bultron said. "Sadly though, the response of the Philippine government to the situation of their nationals remain nil – or at best minimal."

Escaping from employers

According to the APMM statement, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait admitted that 4,225 Filipinos, mostly domestic workers, escaped from their employers in 2006. This was supposedly reduced to 3,000 in 2007.

Among the reasons of OFWs for running away were physical, mental, and sexual abuse; and nonpayment or delay of salaries.

The Assistance to Nationals Section, on the other hand, reported that there were 98 rape cases in 2006.

Bultron also cited a study by the Social Work Society of Kuwait which revealed that 47 percent of the OFWs experience verbal abuse, are overworked, and given insufficient time to sleep.

The group also said that some placement agencies, including those based in Kuwait, disallow Filipino domestic helpers to have a cell phone.

"It is alleged that even Escalani, the biggest agency in Kuwait strip searches domestic helpers to find if they have SIM cards in their possession," the APMM’s statement said.

Legitimate complaints

Bultron also reported that legitimate complaints of domestic helpers even when they are raped are rendered null and void if they are charged by their employers with absconding or theft.

"While we appeal for His Highness, the Amir of Kuwait, to spare the lives of Vecina and Pawa, we also call on to the government to provide full, swift and unconditional assistance other OFWs in Kuwait who are languishing in jails," Bultron said. "More so, it must get its act together to curb the abuses suffered by their nationals and improve their protection and services to distressed Filipino migrants." - Mark Ubalde, GMANews.TV

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