PHL ready to assist helpers abused by Taiwanese exec in US

The Philippine government can provide legal assistance to two household service workers (HSW) who were abused by a Taiwanese official in the United States (US).

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Carmelita Dimzon on Tuesday said the two helpers may approach either the Philippine embassy or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the US for assistance.

Dimzon said they are trying to identify the two HSWs because US authorities withheld their identities.

“The names had been withheld by the US authorities for confidentiality. The embassy and the POLO don’t have them," Dimzon said.

“We are prepared to extend all possible assistance within the mandate given to us," she said.

Director Liu Hsien-hsien of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) based in Missouri was recently arrested after being charged by a federal court of committing labor violations against the two Filipino HSWs.

The TECO told the court that Liu illegally hired, underpaid, and forced the Filipinos to work for excessive hours.

Liu is currently detained and may face deportation.

The TECO serves as one of Taiwan’s de facto embassies in the US. - VVP, GMA News

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