Jail or suicide: Caught in debt trap, some Pinoys make tough choices

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many expatriates, including Filipinos, who are caught in a "debt trap" are forced to make a tough choice between jail and suicide, the news site Khaleej Times said on Friday. According to Khaleej Times, "Caught in the whirlpool of recession, job and business losses, and mounting loan and credit card payments, many expatriates come to the conclusion that their only choice is jail or suicide." The report cited Filipino expatriate "Lein F." who chose to go to jail and a certain "Anil Kumar" who chose to commit suicide. Anil and his wife committed suicide after killing their daughter, the report said. Lein, on the other hand, spent three-and-a-half months in jail due to bounced cheques, the report said. Khaleej Times said many expatriates are harassed and subjected to mental torture as they are unable to find employment and settle their mounting bills. Citing a report of Dr. Khalid Al Khazraji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, the report said UAE's labor market comprises 202 nationalities, of whom almost 50 percent are Indians. "Since 2009, when the global economic downturn was at its worst, many had staggering amounts of personal loans and credit card payments. They were further crippled as they lost jobs, delayed salaries, reduced pay and incessant threatening calls from the banks to settle their debts," Khaleej Times said. The report cited statistics that "at least 53 Indian nationals committed suicide in the last nine months in Dubai and the Northern Emirates." Afraid to compromise honor In the Khaleej Times report, Dr. Raymond H. Hamden, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, said some "people commit suicide when they find no ways to solve their problems that compromise their honor, respect and trust of their families, community as well as creditors." He noted that not all cultures put pressure on people to feel shame, guilt, and embarrassment. However, those who are pressured to feel embarrassed may end up committing suicide, Hamden said in the report. Khaleej Times said suicide "is a criminal act and it is against the teachings of the religion of Islam." In the report, a police officer urged people with financial troubles to think of other solutions instead of committing suicide. “Every problem in life has a solution. Killing oneself would never help in solving a problem. They have to be patient and seek advice from religious scholars whenever they have problems," the officer told Khaleej Times. - VVP, GMA News