Abuse, illtreatment, non-payment of wages are their main grievances
Ayla Marisse G Ginete
Contributor
An average of 50 Filipina domestic workers every month approach the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Bahrain with complaints of abuse, illtreatment and wage delays.
The welfare of thousands of Filipino domestic workers in the Middle East is a critical issue that needs to be addressed with adequate measures, according to the labour attache at the embassy, Alejandro Santos.
“The problems of domestic workers exist in over a dozen countries in the region. Bahrain is no exception. All labour and OWWA posts in the receive increasing number of cases of rape, physical assault, non-payment of salary, illtreatment or unfair treatment,” Santos told the Tribune yesterday.
Abuse, illtreatment, non-payment of wages are their main grievances
Ayla Marisse G Ginete
Contributor
An average of 50 Filipina domestic workers every month approach the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Bahrain with complaints of abuse, illtreatment and wage delays.
The welfare of thousands of Filipino domestic workers in the Middle East is a critical issue that needs to be addressed with adequate measures, according to the labour attache at the embassy, Alejandro Santos.
“The problems of domestic workers exist in over a dozen countries in the region. Bahrain is no exception. All labour and OWWA posts in the receive increasing number of cases of rape, physical assault, non-payment of salary, illtreatment or unfair treatment,” Santos told the Tribune yesterday.
“This is one of the reasons Manila has formulated the minimum wage scheme as a measure to help reduce the number of labour disputes especially those involving salaries,” he said. According to the attache, domestic workers from the Philippines are the lowest paid in the Middle East, earning as little as $100-$150 (BD40-50) a month, compared with other counterparts who are paid as much as $500-$600 in Asia and $1000-$1500 in Europe.
“Our government is to push the proposal for a minimum wage of $400 as a counter-measure. It will also discourage illegal agencies from recruiting and supplying unqualified maids from the Philippines to the region.
“The main reason why the labour comes so cheap is that illegal recruiters select young girls from remote villages down South, in Mindanao, most of whom are not qualified to be employed as maids.
“Local recruiters contact illegal agencies back home to profit by hiring inexperienced and often uneducated Filipina maids to work here.
“By raising the standards and the market value of Filipino maids, we hope that the demand for our skilled workers will increase just the same,” he said.
There is another aspect of the problem. Generally, it is beyond the embassy’s purview to emphasise the need for local recruiters to consult only with the legitimate agencies in the proper selection and employment process.
The problem can be solved to a great extent if prospective employers cooperate with the embassy, Santos said. “If the employers visit the embassy with their inquiries then we can ensure that only the legitimate procedures are carried out,” he said.
The Philippine government and the embassy are exerting concerted effort to fight the recruitment racket which continues to flourish.
“Filipinos abroad who connive with foreigners in illegal recruitment services will surely be blacklisted. Erring Filipinos will also be banned from renewing their passports and foreigners from entering the Philippines.”
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