DOLE orders probe into alleged abuses vs. OFWs in Jeddah


The Labor Department has ordered the investigation into the alleged abuses against OFWs in Jeddah, including a supposed rape incident perpetrated by a representative of a recruitment agency.
A news release from the Department of Labor and Employment on Saturday said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to investigate the report submitted by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Jeddah, Labor Attache Nasser Munder.
In a report to Bello, Munder said four household service workers had been forced to work for more than 10 hours in different households, and render another two hours of duty at the household of their employers.
They were identified as Samra Musa Lidasan, Lyn Silongan Sali, Norhen Gayo Sarat, and Noraima Mamadra Bandara.
Munder said the four hold legitimate Iqama, but were compelled to work as cleaners. They ran away from their employer and sought refuge at the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) in Jeddah on March 1, 2019.
Also, Munder reported an alleged rape of a 22-year-old OFW (identified only as 'Saida') by her agency representative on December 28, 2018.
The victim is staying at Bahay Kalinga while the case is being handled by the Assistance to Nationals Section of Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.
Both cases involved their Saudi Recruitment Agency (SRA) Madar Al Kharj Recruitment Agency, and Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA) Iemploy Manpower Services, Inc.
Munder has recommended the suspension and cancellation of the licenses of the concerned recruitment agencies.
Bello has directed the POEA to immediately report the developments and results of the investigation.
Likewise, Bello also assured the OFWs of the provision of necessary assistance from POLO and the POEA. —LBG, GMA News

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