Trafficked Pinay in UK finds ways to help undocumented OFWs

Published October 16, 2020 2:24pm By LUCKY MAE F. QUILAO A 40-year-old overseas Filipino worker has been actively helping undocumented OFWs like her, volunteering her services for a support group in the United Kingdom in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. “Mas marami kasi ang worst ang problema ng undocumented OFWs ngayong COVID pandemic. May mga nawalan ng trabaho, meron nagka-COVID ngunit takot humingi ng tulong dahil sa kanilang status,” disclosed “Anne” (not her real name) in an interview via Messenger that started on October 9. Anne had been a victim of human trafficking and modern-day slavery herself, when she started to work overseas. “Taong 2015 ako nag-abroad sa bansang Qatar. Lingid sa kaalaman ko, hindi totoo ang mga nakasulat sa kontratang pinirmahan ko. Nakasaad kasi doon na isa lang ang anak ng magiging amo ko, na sasahod ako ng QR1,460 monthly, na mayroon akong day-off na isang beses sa isang linggo, at na sila ang bibili ng pagkain ko at iba pang personal na gamit.” “Halos 24 hours on call ang trabaho at sa mga kaunting pagkakamali, lagi ako sinasabihan ng ‘mafi mok’ na ang ibig sabihin ay ‘wala akong utak’ at ‘kelba’ na ang ibig sabihin ay ‘hayop’ ako.” But Anne wasn’t able to do anything until 2017. “Wala ako magawa kundi umiyak. Taong 2017, pumunta sila dito sa UK at isinama nila ako bilang katulong ng buong pamilya at dito, naging mas worst ang kalagayan ko.” “Hanggang sa dumating ang point na sinasaktan ako ng amo kong babae dahil sa mga hindi ko natatapos na trabaho. Sinasampal niya ako at sinisipa.” She was able to find refuge from another foreigner living next door only to discover that she was in for another difficult time. “Sa pagtakas ko, pinatira ako sa may next room namin at pinangakuang pasasahurin kung magkano ang ipinasasahod ng dati kong amo dahil may walo rin silang anak. Pero bandang huli, nakita ko sa babae na unti-unti nagiging katulad ang ugali niya ng dati kong amo.” Despite her previous situation, Anne continues to help runaway OFWs in the UK, together with the Filipino Domestic Workers Association. The FDWA is part of the Kanlungan Filipino Consortium, which is recognized in the United Kingdom. The group rescues victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. It also provides psychosocial support, training, and assistance to correct the travel documents of undocumented OFWs. “Sa kasalukuyan, kasama na ako ng FDWA sa pagkampanya laban sa human trafficking at sa pagtulong sa mga ibang undocumented OFWs. Hindi naman ako natatakot dahil para sa akin, dapat maging fair.” “Gusto ko rin iparating sa mga katulad kong OFW na alamin ang kanilang mga karapatan, magkaroon ng community na kinabibilangan lalo dito sa United Kingdom upang may umalalay sa kanila kapag may problema, at maging active sa community.” —LBG, GMA News

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