2 abused OFWs in Saudi, Malaysia seek govt help

Two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are appealing for help from the government after suffering abuse reportedly in the hands of their employers in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. In a “24 Oras Weekend" report by GMA News’ Mark Salazar, Juanita Palma, an OFW from Tarlac City, said she suffered physical and verbal abuse from her lady employer in Saudi Arabia. Interviewed at her home, Palma, who was recently sent home by her employer, showed the contusions and burn wounds on her left eye and shoulders. Palma said her employer started beating her up when they ran out of stored water in the house. "Sabi niya malakas raw kasi akong gumamit. Una sinabunutan niya ako, hinila-hila (She accused me of consuming too much water. She pulled my hair and dragged me)," Palma said in the report, adding that her employer also threatened to cut her head off several times.

"Mayroon din akong mga personal na gamit na sinira ng amo kong babae at kinuha niya (My lady employer also took and broke some of my personal things)," she said. Also, instead of receiving a salary of 1,200 Saudi riyals or roughly P17,000, Palma said she was only paid 800 riyals or about P9,000. Palma stayed with her employer until she was told that she would be transferred to another one. However, instead of bringing her to a new sponsor, she was brought to the travel agency to be sent back to the Philippines. Palma was on a two-year contract, but she was sent home only four months into working in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the mother of an OFW in Malaysia sought the help of GMA News after learning that her daughter is being beaten up by her employer. Norma Jumawan said her daughter, Geneve, a native of Makilala town in North Cotabato, called her up from Malaysia last month crying and asking for help as she said her employer is abusing her. “Humihingi sana ako ng tulong para makauwi siya (I’m asking for help for my daughter to be able to go home)," Norma told GMA News. The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia has already been informed of Geneve’s case. - KBK, GMANews.TV