Ex-Saudi OFW bares 'sexploitation' ordeal, ready to come out to shed light on issue


A former overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia may shed more light on the alleged "sexploitation" of overseas Filipino workers in some Philippine embassies and consulates by coming out with her tale.
The former OFW said her ordeal, where the driver of a labor attache allegedly tried to molest her, occurred June 2 last year at a shelter for distressed OFWs in Saudi Arabia.
"Walang problema sa akin kung 'yan makakapaglaya sa kasamahan ko doon para hindi mahirapan," she said in an interview on dzBB radio Thursday afternoon, when asked if she is willing to come out and tell authorities about her ordeal.
"Nakakaawa ang sitwasyon ng katulong doon," added the former OFW who was given the false name "Josie" in the interview.
"Josie" said she had escaped from her abusive employer and went to the shelter for distressed OFWs.
At the time, she said she was already warned by other OFWs to be wary of the driver. She said she tried to fight off the driver when he tried to attack her.
She said the driver tried to molest her, damaging her clothes in the process. She also said she suffered injuries while trying to fight off the driver.
In a separate interview on "Saksi" Thursday night, "Josie" lamented that she escaped from her employer only to run into trouble right inside the Philippine embassy.
"Umalis ako sa amo ko para hindi ako mapahamak. Ngayon ganoon na naman ang mangyayari sa akin. At sa loob pa ng ating embahada doon pa ako mapapahamak," she said.

She said the driver stopped his assault when he heard someone had arrived at the embassy and was approaching the office.
"Josie" said the attache tried to contact her and offered her money to keep quiet. She said she accepted the money but still lodged a complaint before the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
However, she lamented there had been no progress in the investigation into her complaint. —KG, GMA News

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