Two Filipinas duped by RP agencies

abs-cbnNEWS.com

A former accounting professional and an ex-guidance counselor left their jobs in the Philippines to seek greener pastures in the Middle East.

But their hopes of landing better jobs went in vain after they were fooled by illegal recruiters.

“Annabel” (whose real name was not disclosed), said she almost took her life because of the incident.

“Kahit patayin niyo ako wala akong ibabayad sa inyo. Nagtangka nga po akong magpakamatay dahil sabi ko sa kanila ayaw kung bumalik ng agency,” Annabel told ABS-CBN’s Balitang Middle East.

Annabel worked for eight years in an accountancy company in the Philippines before she went to Dubai.

But much to her surprise, the position waiting for her in Dubai was that of a domestic helper.

She said she forced herself to work as a household helper. But she worked for only two days and was sent back to the agency.

She revealed that the agency in Dubai that fooled her is Emarat Service Philippines. “Pilipina po ang may-ari ng agency na yun,” she added.

“Sabi ko po ayaw ko nang magtrabaho. Pero nakita ko po sa mga kasamahan ko na pag bumabalik sila sa agency na yun, sinasaktan po nila ang mga Pilipina. Kaya wala po akong nagawa,” related a tearful Annabel.

She said that she was turned over to another agency to make up for the expenses that Emarat agency spent for her.

“May isa pong tao na kumuha sa amin para ibenta kami… nag-stay po kami ng dalawang linggo. Dinadala po kami ng agency para po kaming binebenta doon na isda,” she said.

When asked how Annabel was able to leave Dubai and go to Oman, she said “kinuha po ako ng mga sponsor ko dahil nagustuhan po nila ako dahil nagtu-tutor po ako ng bata.”

Annabel, however, did not like her Omani employer that is why she escaped and went to the Embassy of the Philippines in Muscat, Oman.

Another Filipina had a similar experience when she was sent abroad by a recruiter even if she did not have a contract.

Agnes is a former college guidance counselor. She told ABS-CBN News, “sabi nila US$200 mag-i-increase yan tapos kung may ibang opportunity pwede kang makakuha. Eh iba pala dito ang patakaran dito sa Oman.”

“Hinihintay ko yung contract, wala. Hanggang nagpunta na kami sa immigration,” she said.

Agnes and Annabel are currently under the custody of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA).

They still cannot return to the Philippines because their agencies are still demanding them to pay their dues.

According to Labor Attache Romeo Young, it is easy to fool aspiring migrants because they trust illegal recruiters right away.

“Matagal na naming sinasabi na illegal trafficking of women ito kasi nga wala silang kontrata hindi tama yung pasuweldo, minamaltrato pa minsan,” said Young.

The Labor Attache in Oman also advised Filipinos who want to work abroad, “Kung alam lang nila na ang gagawin lang nila ay ipupuslit lang dito sa Oman ay mahirap ho yan, illegal ho yan, illegal trafficking yan. Hindi ho kayo protektado. Kailangan dumaan ho kayo sa tamang proseso sa POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration)”. Report from Rowen Soldevilla, ABS-CBN News Middle East Bureau

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