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Tragedy of an overseas worker

BAGUIO CITY (May 26) — National daily reports show that the Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) remittances have been saving the dying Philippine economy, which is why the government refer to OFWs as the “Bagong Bayani” or modern day heroes. However, most of them are being maltreated by thier employers abroad – physically and mentally. Worse, the government fails to protect their rights and welfare according to the latest batch of OFWs repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abigail Cabbigat, 32, is a native of Lagawe, Ifugao. She spent two years in Hong Kong as a domestic helper. As her income from that odd job was not enough for her family, she applied as domestic helper in Lebanon. She was able to get a two year-contract but she only stayed for 10 months because she escaped last February 17 from her employer. She was repatriated to the country on April 9.

She claimed that her employer committed grave threat on her person and violated contract.

She said she submitted her application at Jake International Placement Agency (JIPA) located at the 5th floor Paragon Tower, A. Flores St., Ermita, Mabini, Manila.

“I applied to support my family and they claimed that it is fine in Lebanon. It is an open country where you can apply in other countries if your contract expires,” she explained in Tagalog.

On April 29, 2005, she was deployed by the said agency in Lebanon. However, before releasing her flight papers, the agency allegedly forced her to sign a waiver stating that the salary per month was US$ 150 instead of US$200 that was stated in her original contract.

“I didn’t have any choice, I’ve already spent much for the medical and pregnancy tests, and for a video coverage,” she said.

In her original contract, the Blueline Services will act as her agency in Lebanon but when she arrived, the New Services Agency represented her instead. The said agency is owned and managed by a certain Mr. Ellie Abon Chaya.

The New Service Agency confiscated all her travel documents including her passport and a copy of her employment contract. Even her Nokia 6210 cellular phone was taken by the agency. When she asked a certain Jocelyn, one of the Filipino staff there, she was informed by the latter that the confiscation was normally done for new workers.

She adds that sometimes she was required to work for 24 hours seven days a week. Her contract provided for one rest day a week. However, to her dismay, she was not given overtime pays. Cabbigat is now suffering from a serious eyes and arm pains. She suspectsthat her sickness is job-related. She said she was maid to clean dusty carpets under the strong heat of the sun.

She laments that even her reduced salary was usually delayed.

Labor export policy

The Philippine Government is very proud in exporting labor force to other countries. This is their remedy to the unemployment problem in our country, Nordis learned in a press conference by OFWs last week. These OFWs observed that while this Labor Export Policy continues, many of our good doctors, nurses, engineers and other professionals are migrating abroad to get high paying job. Only few are left to serve the needy, they observes, as this affects our economy and lose chance to attain quality services in hospitals and other public institutions.

Cabbigat had filed a case against JIPA agency in relation with her contract, she had her statement to the government: “The present administration must act now before it is too late. We should not wait for more deaths and abuses before they (government) will act on it.” # Johnny Fialen for Nordis

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