An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Santa Barbara, Iloilo was recently repatriated from Qatar after claims of maltreatment by her employer were reported to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The worker’s identity is currently being kept confidential.

According to OWWA welfare case officer Jack Arroyo, “We requested the Philippine Embassy to intervene.” He noted, the worker’s agency processed the repatriation.

Meanwhile, two local OFWs based in Lebanon are currently awaiting repatriation.

The two, from San Miguel and Iloilo City, are said to be victims of illegal recruitment.

“Lebanon OFWs are being repatriated in batches,” Arroyo explained. “I think the two is part of the second or third batch.”

Last month, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) stopped six women at Iloilo International Airport who were allegedly recruited illegally to work as domestic helpers in Lebanon.

“Upon arriving in Hong Kong, they were supposed to board their connecting flight to Beirut and end up working there as household service workers without the appropriate overseas work permits,” explained BI-Travel Control and Enforcement Unit supervisor Ma. Timotea Barizo.

The six were later interviewed, where BI-Iloilo International Airport head supervisor Ma. Lourdes Marian said the supposed workers admitted they were going to take on unauthorized jobs in Lebanon.

As of yesterday, 16 cases referred to the Operation Bulig Ilonggo help desk, which was established in response to the heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, have been catered and referred to the embassy.

Arroyo clarified most of the cases being handled pertain to maltreatment and health issues./WDJ