OFWs from Kuwait bring home tales of horror and success

Many of the overseas Filipino workers who arrived from Kuwait on Tuesday morning brought home stories of horror from their past employers.

Around 100 OFWs availed of Kuwait's amnesty program and arrived at Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 6 a.m.

“Melissa” (not her real name) was sexually assaulted by her employer. “'Pag naghatid ako ng pagkain niya pagpasok ko ng kwarto niya naka-ano na siya, nakahubad na tapos may perang katabi parang inaalok ba ako,” she said.

Melissa hails from Agusan del Sur and left for Kuwait only in December 2017. She stayed there for only three months before she decided to come home.

“Noong nagkasakit ako, bago lang, hinawakan na niya dede ko. Doon na ako nag-ano. Humingi na ako agad ng tulong. Ayoko na paabutin na mangyayari pa 'yung masama,” she said.

Melissa sought help from the local police who rescued her from her employer. As expected her employer denied the harassment but eventually released her to the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.

Raida Salim on the other hand stayed in Kuwait for six years. She said she started working in Kuwait as a domestic helper where she experienced inhumane treatment.

“Bibigyan ka na lang ng panis na pagkain pagkatapos kainin mo 'yan. 'Yung tira ng nanay nila na matanda, 'yan kainin mo. 'Di naman puede 'yon. 'Di naman tayo hayop e,” she said.

Salim escaped her previous employer leaving her passport behind and later found a job at a salon where she was treated better.

She then earned enough to send her children to school.

“Wala man akong mabigay sa kanila, at least nakauwi akong safe,” she said.

Still there are stories of success like that of Victoria Custorio. She said she was able to save money to build a house and provide for her family’s needs.

“Hindi naman po ako nasasaktan. Okay naman po pasahod. Nakapag-ano 'ko ng bahay at saka 'yung motor. Napaaral ko mga anak ko,” she said.

Yet if there is one thing she regrets about leaving, Custorio said it's not being able to take care of her children.

“Pagdating ko po sa airport gusto ko po makita lalong lalo na 'yung bunso ko kasi pag-alis ko noon, baby pa siya. Siya po ang gusto ko muna makita kasi hindi niya ako kilala. Sana po mapalapit po siya sa 'kin,” she said. 

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has urged OFWs in Kuwait to avail themselves of the amnesty offer of the Gulf state before the April 12 deadline for applications.

The amnesty program will end on April 22.

President Rodrigo Duterte "might" visit Kuwait if his conditions seeking to ensure the protection and welfare of Filipino workers there are met and carried out.

He has said that the deployment ban to Kuwait stays if his demands to ensure OFWs' protection are not met. —KG, GMA News