Pinoy teacher maltreated in KSA repatriated

A Filipino teacher who was forced to work as a domestic helper in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has returned home to the Philippines, with the help of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). Sharon Baltao, 33, arrived in the country on November 16, the Department of Labor and Employment said in an article on its website. "She has recovered from the trauma, and was radiant when she visited Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz to thank her... at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Intramuros, Manila," the DOLE said on its website. Baldoz, who found out about her case through the media, received Baltao warmly. “Immediately after I learned about your ordeal, I instructed our Labor Attache in Jeddah, Vicente Cabe, to find and rescue you from your abusive employer," she told Baltao. Baltao was an English teacher in the Philippines before she was deployed to Jeddah, KSA in August this year to work as a tutor. However, her employer violated the contract she signed and instead of giving her tutorial work, ordered her to do household chores. “Pagod na pagod ako sa pagtratrabaho ko sa Jeddah. Wala akong pahinga (I was very tired and didn’t get to rest)," Baltao said. She added that she was not paid her salary while she was working in the household. She said she only received the salary due her for three months through the intervention and assistance of Labatt Cabe, who also compelled her employer to promptly buy a plane ticket for her return to the Philippines. “Labatt Cabe’s timely intervention has saved Sharon from further abuse and exploitation," Baldoz said. She labor secretary adding that Baltao's abusive employer apparently violated the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and will be "blacklisted." After she was reunited with her family, Baltao said she wants to rest for a while and plans to seek another teaching job in local schools next year. She is no longer interested in working overseas. “Natatakot na akong mag-abroad. Dito na lang ako sa Pilipinas. (I’m now afraid to go abroad. I’m staying in the Philippines)," she said. – VVP/YA, GMANews.TV