Pinay domestic worker allegedly raped by employer rescued in Qatar

A Filipino domestic worker in Qatar who had complained of being raped by her employer multiple times has been rescued after she sought help on social media.

The tearful plea by "Irene" for help was shown in part in a report on Thursday by JP Soriano over GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

Irene said she was raped by her employer once in August, and on September 6 and 11.

"Hindi ko po alam kung paano ako sasakay, kung saan po ako pupunta, wala po akong kakilala dito," she said.

Irene was immediately brought to a POLO office once her pleas, addressed to an OFW advocacy group, was picked up by Filipino authorities.

"She is now in a shelter, she is safe from harm. Her health concerns being attended to," Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Hans Leo Cacdac said.

The Philippine Embassy will aid the OFW in filing the appropriate charges against the suspect with the Qatari police.

Revisiting the OFW agreement

Filipino authorities are mulling the revision of the existing bilateral labor agreement between the Philippines and Qatar due to the repeated incidents of violence against Filipino workers in spite of the arrangement.

"May assurances naman na sa pagrerepaso, ay muling bubuksan ang paguusap para lalo pang mapalakas, mapaigting yung proteksyon ng OFW sa Qatar," Cacdac said.

An estimated 245,000 Filipinos are working and living in Qatar. — Rie Takumi/RSJ, GMA News