Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)who were trafficked in Syria experienced maltreatment and abuse from the hands of their employers, according to Philippine Embassy in Syria Chargé d’ affaires Vida Soraya Verzosa.
Versoza said a lot of OFWs were forced to work 18 hours a day despite being underpaid.
“Their employers would slap them, shout at them. They were not being fed properly,” she told Inquirer.
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Aside from contract violations, Versoza said these workers were asked to sign contracts written in Arabic.
The country’s top diplomat even shared a story of abuse of an OFW named ‘Lara’ who was chained by her employer and kept in the toilet for seven years.
“She was kept for seven years in the toilet or the hammam. They would punch her so hard that her teeth would be knocked out,” Versoza said.
She added that Lara’s employers would verbally abuse her and throw urine of the baby she’s taking care of.
Lara is also prohibited from contacting her family in the Philippines.
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“She was not paid her salaries during that period in time,” the envoy furthered.
Versoza said Lara only managed to escape the horrific situation when a Syrian family helped and brought her to the Philippine embassy in Syria.
Lara’s case was referred to criminal courts, according to Versoza. (RA)
