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MANILA, Philippines?One of the best dive sites in the world may not be paradise for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Over 300 distressed OFWs are allegedly living under sub-human conditions in the Maldives, an island country southwest of Sri Lanka, according to Sen. Manuel Villar.
A popular diving destination, the Maldives is the smallest Asian country in terms of both population and area, and is predominantly Muslim.
But even paradise can be hell for some Filipinos, said Villar in a statement.
On Wednesday, Villar?s helpline dedicated to beleaguered migrant workers, received distress calls from several OFWs who complained that they were not being paid. They also claimed that they were forced to drink rainwater and to take a bath using dirty water.
Pleading for aid
The senator called on Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs to quickly attend to their plight.
?They are pleading for government assistance,? he said.
OFWs Rechie Galvez, Oscar Valera, Ricardo Acosta and Mario Viernes said they, along with their colleagues stationed in Villingili Island, have not been receiving salaries while ?bearing squalid living conditions,? said the senator.
Villingili is a resort island on the Seenu Atoll in the Maldives.
?We drink rainwater and take a bath using putrid waters. Our quarters are cockroach-infested, and we have to contend with insufficient food,? Villar recalled the distressed OFWs as saying.
The other OFWs who called Villar?s helpline desk were Rodelio Cosidon, Joseph Gonzales, Dominador Parzan, Alvino Barnabe, Edchiel Ariate, William Nicolas, Francis Bulatao, Arnel Pagaragan, Benjie Julian, Perseus Salang-oy, June Mendoza, Johnmar Javier, Jeff Gilo, Mayron Moyaen, Rommel Corpuz, Zaldy Acumabig, Ranillo Joaquin, Wilfredo Tolunes, Edwin Oclares, Alex Collaman, Andre Alyaon, Jolly Apayyo, Abraham Sanchez, Johnder Orsit, Joel Bañez, Arnel Dayrit, Elizalde Mendoza, Philip Yee and Louie Cadiz.
No-fault insurance
The senator has endorsed the OFWs? case to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
The harsh conditions faced by many OFWs has prompted Villar to press for the application of the no-fault insurance system, a form of indemnity plan in which anyone injured in an accident receives direct payment from the company that insured them.
This eliminates the need for victims to establish another?s liability or fault through a civil case, said Villar.
The senator has filed Senate Bill No. 3040 or the Overseas Contract Workers Insurance Act, that seeks compulsory insurance for all OFWs, in addition to the benefits provided by OWWA.
He has also set up Sagip-OFW Helpline for migrant workers with legitimate complaints or problems for immediate assistance.
