The Sectoral Concerns Office under the City Mayor’s Office has been facilitating the repatriation to Bacolod City of 12 Overseas Filipino Workers, based in Middle East countries, since January 2012.

Jeff Esperanzate, of the OFW desk staff, yesterday said the OFW’s have different cases. Some have abusive employers, some are overworked, are exposed to bad working conditions, have employers who violate their contracts, non-payment of salaries, non-approval of exit visa even though the OFW’s contract has ended, and also cases like attempt at of sexual abuse and sickness.

He said an OFW in Qatar was not paid for 16 months since her employer promised to release her salary only when her contract ended, but she was not paid at all, and was even threatened to be sent to jail.

There are also employers who want to extend the employment of the OFW’s even if their contracts have expired and this is illegal That is why some OFW’s try to escape from their employers, Esperanzate said.

They have also received similar complaints from domestic helpers employed in Kuwait, he said.

Kuwait is number one in violating contracts and even the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs want OFW’s to be aware of this, he added.

Meanwhile, Esperanzate said the latest OFWs who have returned to Bacolod are Ivy Villanueva of Brgy. Tangub and Ma. Teresa Bautista of Felisa, both diagnosed with ovarian cysts while they were employed in Kuwait.

The employer of Bautista spent for her operation while Villanueva is undergoing medication in Bacolod after she returned two weeks ago, he said.

Esperanzate pointed out that they only attend to OFW’s from Bacolod while, those from other parts of Negros are referred to the Provincial Government.*CGS

back to top