OFW Kept At The Rooftop of Employer’s House For Almost A Day Finally Rescued

To give a better life for her family – that is the reason why this 32-year-old woman chose to work abroad. However, after just one month of working as a household worker, she already asked her sister for help.

“Because she really wants to have a better life, she chose to work abroad,” says Marissa Novela, sister of the OFW.

January 2018, Joanna started working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and her salariesare1,500 Saudi Riyal or approximately P20,000. Joana thought that she can do the job.

“She showed me the food she is eating. It was only leftover from her employer’s meal. Also, whenever a food is missing inside the refrigerator, the employer will ask her about it. What’s more hurtful is the fact that her employer won’t allow her to connect to the Internet, the only way for us to communicate,” Novela further said.

Joanna was also allegedly imprisoned by her employer at the rooftop.

“She cannot go out and I keep on contacting her agency here, the Marinduquena International Manpower Services Inc., to help my sister in Riyadh because it’s already been hours since she was kept in the rooftop. Since morning up to 3 p.m., Joanna stayed in the rooftop.

Fortunately, the agency cooperated and acted immediately after the report was made. Joana was set to go back to the Philippines last April 2.

“The thing that’s making the repatriation slow is the booking of the ticket. Her employer was the one who personally booked the ticket,” Margie Dela Vega, Gen Manager of Marinduquena International Manpower Services Inc.

“I felt happy that they acted on the situation of my sister though it lasted for almost one month,” says Novela.

The issue behind the imprisonment in the rooftop was also cleared.

“Her employer said that she was kept in the rooftop because the key went missing.” Says Dela Vega.

Her recruitment agency also promised to give her financial assistance for the two months that she had no earnings.