Relatives of abused OFW in Saudi Arabia ask help from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
According to Elizabeth Cabrera, her niece Lilibeth, a household service worker, told her that her employer had mistreated her in Jeddah.
The employer only fed Lilibeth once, harassed her, and did not give her salary, Elizabeth said.
“Takot na takot na siya kaya po ako nag-decide na talagang humingi ng help,” Elizabeth added.
(She was so scared that’s why I decided to ask for help.)
Elizabeth got more concerned when they lost contact with Lilibeth 3 weeks ago.
“Hanggang ngayon wala pang, parang missing. Hindi na po alam gagawin namin,” she said.
(Until now, there’s no missing person report. We don’t know what to do.)
Elizabeth Cabrera went to OWWA and Lilibeth’s Prime Goal International Manpower agency to request help for Lilibeth.
According to the OWWA, they have already endorsed Elizabeth’s concerns to a labor office in Saudi Arabia.
“To pressure ‘yong agency sa Jeddah na i-settle itong claims ni Lilibeth,” said OWWA Repatriation Division director Jo Hapal.
(To pressure her agency in Jeddah to settle Lilibeth’s claims.)
“Mas maganda na kuhanin na muna si worker doon sa employer habang tumatakbo iyong kaso,” said Hapal.
(It is best to take the worker from the employer first as the case runs.)
Lilibeth’s agency is also cooperating now with OWWA.
“We have communicated already with our foreign placement agency,” said Prime Goal legal counsel David Castillon.
“Our order is to immediately repatriate the worker,” Castillon added.
According to the agency, if the employer does not issue an exit visa, they will bring Lilibeth’s case to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.
The agency also promised to pay the abused OFW in Saudi Arabia Lilibeth’s unpaid wages if his employer refuses to pay.