OFW allegedly raped by employer in Kuwait

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Kuwait who was dismissed from work reportedly suffered abuse and was raped by her new employer, Mark Salazar reported on “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

According to victim Taya (not her real name), she was fired from her job in 2017 after getting sick eight months into her employment. She was unaware, however, that she was sold off for KWD 1,900 or approximately P370,000.

“Pumasok po ako sa isang Kuwaiti tapos nag-trabaho po ako doon ng walong buwan. Pagkalipas ng walong buwan nagkasakit po ako. Isang araw basta na lang po ako pinaalis ng amo ko... hindi ko alam basta nya ako binigay sa bago kong amo. Binenta nya ako ng 1,900 KWD sa bago kong amo,” she said.

“Pagkalipas ko dun sa amo ko ng dalawang linggo, ni-rape ako ng bago kong amo. Tatlong araw humihingi ako ng tulong kahit kanino sa social media...Nag-ano lang ako sa mga government gaya ng embassy, sa OWWA [OWWA Regional Welfare Office], agency, sa POLO [Philippine Overseas Labor Office] lahat hiningian ko ng tulong...Lumipas dalawang araw, tatlong araw, walang tumutulong sakin. Ang ginawa ko tumakas ako... napunta ako sa shelter,” she added.

Taya said she stayed in the shelter along with some 500 OFWs where she learned her employer was able to walk free even after an embassy lawyer vowed to bring justice over the reported abuse. She is currently staying in the Philippines and has been under the care of the lawyer of Jullebee Ranara’s recruitment agency for three months now.

The victim said she did not receive any assistance from the government.

But OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio said the administration paid for Taya’s repatriation and she received P20,000 cash assistance and a scholarship from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Ignacio previously explained the reported congestion of OFWs in the shelters in Kuwait may be due to the Christmas rush.

GMA Integrated News sent a letter to the Embassy of Kuwait to ask for its resolution on the rape case filed by the victim.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News