A Jeddah-based Filipina has recently fallen off from the third floor of a building after she attempted to run away from her employer.
The 25-year-old OFW, identified as Elena, used a blanket to escape through the window, but it broke while she was going down.
She told ABS-CBN News that she was running away from her employer because she’s already giving up working for them.
She arrived in the Kingdom last February to work as a household service worker. She hails from Maasim, Sarangani Province, and left her husband and three kids to work overseas.
“Nung unang dating ko doon, okay sila sa akin, yung pagkain nila makakain ko din. Tapos nung mga kalahating buwan na ako, parang hindi na maayos yung pakitungo ni madam sa akin,” she said, noting that the misery began when she shared her situation to the recruitment agency that handles her.
“Tapos simula nung nagsumbong ako sa agency dito sa Jeddah, kinulong muna ako sa CR nang tatlong araw, walang kain, tapos tubig lang sa CR yung iniinom ko. Buti na lang may baon akong biscuit, yun na lang ang kinakain ko,” Elena further added.
After about one month, Elena said that she was already vomiting blood probably due to being overworked and not eating proper food every day.
She revealed that for every favor she asked her male employer, she always gets molested for it.
As her situation abroad worsened, she was not made aware that her own mother has already died.
“Tapos inataka na pala si mama non, hindi ko naman alam na namatay na pala siya. Bago ko lang din nalaman… April 30 daw po nailibing tapos nalaman ko nung May 12… Ang sakit, akala ko kasi ako yung makakapagbigay ng gusto niya, pero ako din pala yung dahilan na namatay siya,” she said.
When Elena escaped, she was just thinking to leave her abusive employers and was not thinking if she’d survive while she was planning it.
“Na-ICU ako dalawang araw tapos dinala na ako sa kuwarto ko,” she added.
According to Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah Edgar Badajos, Elena is already waiting to be repatriated.
“Ito ay nakakuha na ng 3 buwang suweldo ang ating kababayan at meron na rin siyang exit visa, at binayaran din ng employer ang kaniyang hospital bill amounting to 32,000 riyal. Siya ay fit to travel na at naghihintay na rin para makauwi,” the diplowas was quoted as saying by the same source.
