Dole orders probe of OFWs abused in Jeddah

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has ordered the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to investigate the reported abuse of several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Citing a report by Philippine Overseas Labor Office- Jeddah Labor Attache Nasser Munder, Dole Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there is a need for an investigation on the cases of four household service workers and another unidentified OFW.

“Dole vows to prosecute the employers, as well as to run after the recruitment agencies, who deceived some overseas Filipino workers while one was allegedly raped by her agency representative,” said Bello.

In his report to Bello, Munder said four household service workers were forced to work for more than 10 hours in different households, and render another two hours of duty at the household of their employer.

They were identified as Samra Musa Lidasan, Lyn Silongan Sali, Norhen Gayo Sarat and Noraima Mamadra Bandara.

Munder said the four ran away from their employer and have since sought refuge at the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center in Jeddah on March 1.

He also reported an alleged rape case involving another OFW by her agency representative on December 28 last year.

The 22-year old OFW was only identified as “Saida.”

The victim is presently staying at the Bahay Kalinga while the case is being handled by the Assistance to Nationals Section of PCG Jeddah.

In both cases, Munder said, involved are the Saudi Recruitment Agency Madar Al Kharj Recruitment Agency, and Philippine Recruitment Agency Iemploy Manpower Services Inc.

Bello said Munder has already recommended the suspension and cancellation of the licenses of the concerned recruitment agencies. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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