Three Filipina workers in Malta called for help from the Philippine government after being arrested for human trafficking.
The Filipinas, all working in Malata, were arrested in March for allegedly acting as agents of JF Group, a company which currently faces human trafficking charges in the Mediterranean country, reported ABS-CBN.
The Filipinas were put behind bars for ten days before they were released.
The arrest comes after authorities earlier discovered there were Filipinos working in a restaurant as waiters and waitresses despite being registered a cleaners in their working permits.
“Nagpapa-interview kami ngayon kasi sini-seek namin ang help ng government. Di naman kami kriminal,” said Rica, one of the three OFWs.
Two denied any connection to the group while the third Filipina, Alleyah, admitted being part of the company.
Alleyah (not her real name) admitted changes should be done within the agency. However, she clarified that the workers are aware that the contracts are not being followed.
“Alam po ng lahat ng nandito na wala pong kontrata ang nasusunod. Ang alam ng mga nag-aapply kuno, libre ang tirahan. Pero alam po nila na walang libre. So alam nila na lahat ‘yun ika-karga lahat,” Alleyah said.
“Walang resibo sa Pilipinas at wala ring ibinibigay dito…Masasabi kong alam nila [applicants] kasi sinasabi naman ‘yun ng agent o agency na ganito ang gagawin sa kontrata. Take it or leave it,” said Jenny, also not her real name.
They said they did not receive any help from the Philippine government particularly the Consulate and the Embassy and added that there is a conflict of interest since the honorary consul’s family business is in the recruitment industry.
Malta’s Honorary Consul to the Philippines Roger Strickland, Jr., however, denied the accusations.
They also accused the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Rome of tipping authorities about the alleged human trafficking activities.
Labor Attaché Haney Siclot refused to give a comment about the issue but denied tipping authorities regarding the activities.
“Regarding the allegation that POLO-Rome tipped off Maltese officials, this is not part of our mandate, and our office continues to serve the Filipinos in line with the authorities sanctioned by law,” said Siclot.
PHOTO: apics.org
