5 Filipina domestic helpers 'abused' in Saudi Arabia

Five Filipina domestic helpers complained that they were allegedly abused by their employer, a former general in Saudi Arabia. According to a report of JP Soriano on "24 Oras" on Thursday, even the wife and children of the former officer have abused the Filipina workers. "Pinagsisipa po ako sa ari ng ilang beses. Hindi ko po alam kung ano po'ng dahilan," Ely Mae said. (I was kicked in my private part several times. I do not know for what reason.) Aside from abuse, Analyn said the employer even forced her to seal drugs. "Hindi ko po sukat akalain na 'yong magiging trabaho ko doon ay isa pala akong tagabalot ng droga niya at 'pag hindi po ako sumunod, sinasabunutan niya at susunugin ng sigarilyo," she said. (I never thought that my work there would include packing illegal drugs and that if I do not follow the instruction, they pull my hair and burn me with a cigarette.) The women then decided to take a video of their employer's son while using drugs and used it as a leverage so that they will not hurt them again. The employer then sent the women to the labor office in Riyadh and gave each of them P150,000. The women raised the concern that there are other workers who took their place and that they might suffer the same fate. "There are isolated cases involving cases like this but the (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) POLOs are addressing these issues by ensuring through verification process that only compliant and qualified employers will be selected," Philippine Overseas Employment Administration administrator Bernard Olalia said. GMA News already reached out to the recruitment agencies of the Filipinas but they has yet to respond as of posting time. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News

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