Jennifer was deployed to Dubai as household service worker last August 31, 2011. She was a fully documented overseas worker. However, after only 28 days of staying there, she returned to her principal agency in Dubai complaining of maltreatment by her employer.
While in Dubai, she met a recruiter who offered her the same type of job, but this time in Iran. Her agency, Al Jawhara Labour Supply, permitted her to work in Iran, although her status would have been an undocumented or illegal worker. Jennifer entered Iran on a tourist visa and has been illegally working there since then.
Jennifer’s mother, Elizabeth, sought assistance from the Bantay OCW program because her daughter is now having trouble returning to the Philippines. She cannot get an exit visa because no one knows where her passport is. Her present employer refused to pay the full penalty in Iran for illegal employment and requested officials at the Philippine embassy in Iran to shoulder half the penalty so Jennifer could go home.
“The employer is at fault so that is her responsibility,” the embassy responded. Jennifer has not received compensation the past two months.
Regarding this case, the local agency which originally deployed Jennifer to Dubai claims they are no longer liable because the OFW chose not to return to the Philippines after her failed experiences abroad and transacted with another recruiter who illegally assisted her entry into Iran.
Another Facebook sleuth
Here’s another account of how social media impacts OFWs: When Edith opened her husband’s Facebook account, she was shocked to discover that her husband had listed his status as “Got married to (another woman).” He had even removed Edith’s and their children’s pictures.
He had been working in Brunei for only four months but was apparently living with the other woman. In a rage, Edith warned him that she would contact Bantay OCW to report this matter.
When she opened his Facebook account again, the OFW had changed his status to “Complicated.”
Susan Andes, aka Susan K., can be heard on Radyo Inquirer dzIQ 990 AM, Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon; live-streaming: www.dziq.am; helplines: 0927-6499870 and 0920-9684700; e-mail: bantayocwfoundation@yahoo.com or susankbantayocw@yahoo.com