94 OFWs repatriated from Abu Dhabi, some with injuries, medical conditions

A Filipino worker repatriated from Abu Dhabi came back with injuries on her foot and back after she fell from the building where she was working while attempting to escape her employer.

A report by Super Radyo dzBB's Sam Neilsen on Balitanghali on Friday said the OFW was climbing down a rope she attached to a window of her employer's flat when the rope snapped.

With help from the Philippine Embassy, she was able to receive surgery before she was repatriated with 93 other displaced OFWs.

The repatriated OFWs arrived on Friday aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR657 and received aid from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) through its repatriation program.

OWWA Deputy Administrator Brigido Dulay said a few OFWs had troubles with their employers and were not able to finish their contracts, or used tourist visas to gain entry to the United Arab Emirates before looking for jobs.

Some of those who looked for jobs with tourist visas grew tired of their situation and opted for repatriation, though others allegedly experienced abuse from their employers.

The report said some of the repatriates have hypertension and various medical conditions that they had to be put on wheelchairs upon arriving at NAIA Terminal 1.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier threatened to impose a total deployment ban to Kuwait and other Middle East countries due to cases of abuse.

He asked Middle Eastern employers to treat Filipino workers with respect and dignity as they work to send remittances back home. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News