For household workers, age matters

Vivian Avila of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, told us about the horrible experience of her 20-year-old sister, Betty, in Lebanon, when Bantay OCW called her on the air over Inquirer Radio 990 AM.

According to Vivian, Betty was abused by her employer. She was beaten, her head was slammed on the wall, and she was  pinched by her Madame even when they were still in the office of their agency in Lebanon.

Her Madame often threatened her to throw her out of the window from the seventh floor of the building where they stayed. Betty lived in fear. So she ran away from her abusive employer.

Betty managed to get to the Philippine Embassy in Beirut and is currently under the protection of our embassy.

It was the Sheeba International Manpower Services Corp. that sent Betty to Beirut last Nov. 17, 2013. She arrived at the Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center on Feb. 12.

Betty’s family asked that Betty be sent home as soon as possible.

Of course, it is not included on Betty’s contract that she be abused and threatened by her employer every day. She did what any sensible overseas worker should do: Escape.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will oblige the Sheeba Agency to send a plane ticket for our OFW, for they are liable to whatever happens to her abroad.

They will also answer for why they sent a 20-year-old OFW, because the minimum age requirement for overseas household service workers (HSWs) is 23 years old.

The office of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz immediately acted on this case through Labor Attaché David Des Dicang who coordinated with our embassy in Lebanon.

OIC-Labatt Irma S. Valiente reported that Welfare Officer Imelda F. Gatinao has already referred Betty’s case to the Assistance to Nationals Section for endorsement to the General Security (Immigration) office in Lebanon.

Valiente added that they were awaiting a call for investigation. However, she assured Bantay OCW that Betty is safe and doing fine, and is being taken cared of at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Lebanon.

Susan Andes, also known as Susan K., can be heard over Inquirer Radio dzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. Audio/video live streaming is at www.ustream.tv/channel/dziq.  Helpline: 0927-6499870. E-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected]