When you work as a domestic worker, you are entitled to receive a plane ticket to return to the Philippines at the end of your contract. However, there are still a lot of employers who refuse to shoulder this expense and transfer the responsibility to the domestic worker.
April Lyn Wahing from Cotabato works as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia for seven years. During the first two years of her employment, she chose not to return to the Philippines because of personal issues.
After 4 years of working with the same employer, Wahing decided to return home and her employer-provided her with a plane ticket. However, Wahing was disappointed because the plane ticket that her employer bought didn’t include baggage and food. She was then forced to pay for her baggage out of her own pocket. She was also not given the leave pay, as stated on her contract.
Hoping to get the remaining benefits that were promised to her, Wahing returned to the same employer and worked for the next three years. During the last vacation of Wahing, she spend 1,300 Riyal, a payable that should be shouldered by the employer. Her employer promised to pay the amount if the OFW returns to them. Unfortunately, Wahing only received 600 riyals.
The Filipina wants to return to the Philippines because of the unfair treatment of her employer. But her employer refuses to buy plane tickets for her. They were firm in saying that the ticket must be shouldered by the OFW if she really want to return to the Philippines.
Wahing asked for the help of the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia but they failed to respond. Now, the OFW hopes that through the help of Bantay OCW Foundation, she can finally obtain the benefits that she longed to have.
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