Homesick OFW meets accident while escaping Saudi employer

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — A Filipino domestic helper was repatriated last week, months after she fell from a building while trying to leave her employer due to homesickness.

"Edith" fell from the fourth floor of the building in May as she was trying to escape her employer's flat using a rope, according to Mary Anne Hipe, the OFW's case officer.

Edith, who spent months recuperating from the incident, arrived in Saudi Arabia on March 7, 2018. The incident happened on the last week of May.

"Naho-homesick daw po siya sa kanyang pamilya kaya siya tumakas nang amin na siyang makausap sa hospital," said Hipe.

The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah assisted Edith after her case was brought to them by concerned OFWs.

Consul General Edgar Badajos, meanwhile, urged would-be OFWs to consider if they can handle homesickness when applying for an overseas job.

He said Edith was a "classic example" of an OFW who loses her will to work and decides to go home instead due to homesickness.

"Siya 'yung classic example ng HSW (household service worker) na nag-decide umuwi dahil ayon sa kanya na-homesick daw siya at nawalan ng interes magtrabaho," said Badajos. —Ronaldo Concha/KBK, GMA News