OFWs have different experiences and fate as they start to work abroad. Some were fortunate enough to find good employees while some suffered from abuse and maltreatment. Truly, “there’s no place like home”.
Carla who hailed from San Nicolas, Pangasinan and a mother to two children had left on July 2 to work as a domestic helper in Kuwait. What she thought of to be the start of providing a better life for her kids became a ‘big mistake’ when after three months of working abroad, she opted to return home to the Philippines after she was treated unjustly abroad.
According to GMA News, Carla had experienced maltreatment from her employers in Kuwait who did not provide sufficient food for her to eat. Often times, Carla would hide inside the restroom to eat ‘secretly’ just to fill her empty stomach after being tired doing heavy workloads.
“Hindi nila ako pinapakain, sir, tapos binalik ako, sir, sa office. Galit na galit sila, na pagbabayarin nila ako. Sabi ko, sir, wala akong pambayad kasi nagpunta ako sa abroad para maghanapbuhay.”
The OFW also claimed that she was forced to cook meals even if she admitted she doesn’t know how to cook thus, she would end up with dishes which they cannot eat which triggers them to hurt her.
“Binabatukan dito pag nagluluto ako. Kasi, sir, sabi ko wala akong alam sa pagluluto. Pinipilit niya ako na may alam. Pag mali, sir, binabatukan niya ako.“
Luckily, with the help of Pangasinan OFW Desk through its Facebook Page, she was repatriated to the country. Apparently, their social media page serves as the provincial government’s arm to address the needs of OFWs and their families as stated on their page.
Meanwhile, migrant desk officer of Pangasinan OFW Desk Elizardo Laureta assured Carla that they will be helping her throughout her case including assisting her with her back pay claims and applying for a livelihood program with OWWA.
As of press time, Carla is very happy to be finally back with her family and because of the trauma she experienced in working abroad, she promised not to leave the country ever again and work as an overseas worker.
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