Hundreds of distressed OFWs seek repatriation from the UAE


Hundreds of overseas Filipino workers are seeking the government's help for repatriation back to the Philippines after they were allegedly victimized by illegal recruiters and are now living in cramped conditions at the consulate in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to a 24 Oras report by Susan Enriquez, the tight conditions were made worse as the OFWs, mostly undocumented domestics, had to share a single bathroom.
Several of the distressed OFWs had escaped employers who had maltreated them, while others were turned over to the consulate.
Among these workers was "Lisa," who was able to return to the Philippines last May through the assistance of the Blas Ople Center.
Lisa said a certain Melanie Lopez, whom she only got to know through Facebook, had allegedly duped her into taking a supposed UAE job.
"Ni-refer ako ni Melanie Lopez kay Ronald Brian de Villa na siya daw pong agent niya... Safe naman daw po kami makakarating ng Dubai na kesyo naka-monitor kami, may magandang trabaho. May employer na naghihintay tapos may day off. Malaki ang suweldo," said the OFW.
"Dinala niya ako sa ibang bahay na kesyo agency daw pero hindi naman. Pinaglilinis lang kami du'n. Three days ako du'n overworked, walang pagkain," Lisa added.
From then on, Lisa was unable to contact either de Villa nor Lopez. She escaped together with other Filipina OFWs.
She later found out she was recruited illegally.
"Concerned na lang po ako du'n sa mga naiwan. Gusto ko po silang matulungan kahit iyon man lang po kasi naranasan ko po 'yung hirap doon sobra. 'Yung ibang mga kasamahan ko halos napipilay na makatakas lang, 'yung iba, nire-rape," said Lisa.
Lisa further said around 500 Pinays in Dubai and around 300 Pinays in Abu Dhabi were sold by fellow Filipinos as helpers to different foreigners.
Lisa appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte for help."Nananawagan po ako sa kanya, sa mga kasamahan ko na naiwan doon na napakarami po nila kasi kahit nakauwi na po ako maiisip ko 'yung mga kalagayan ng mga naiwan, may mga pamilya din po 'yun... na kami lang po ang inaasahan na makakatulong sa kanila para makauwi po silang lahat."
Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai said there were just over 300 OFWs remaining at their welfare office.
Their documents had been processed, with a some of them having flown back to the Philippines, with others to follow next week.
The POLO added they were processing the documents of the remaining OFWs. — Jamil Santos/DVM, GMA News

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