Hiring of DHs unaffected by S’pore murder

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes said yesterday that the recent murder of a Filipina maid in Singapore, allegedly by another Filipina domestic helper, has not led to a drop in the hiring of such workers abroad.

Brillantes said he hopes the holding of the first ever National Domestic Workers Summit in Marikina City last Wednesday would help the government prevent tragic incidents like the recent murder in Singapore.

He hopes the summit would lead to measures to better protect the welfare of Filipina housemaids everywhere.

Though the recent incident in Singapore has reminded the government and other concerned agencies that Filipino domestic helpers face many problems while working abroad, Brillantes denied reports that foreign countries are reconsidering hiring Filipinos.

"Based on our statistics, Filipino domestic helpers continue to leave the country for Singapore and other countries and there is no drop in deployment of housemaids and other skilled Filipino workers abroad even after the incident," he said in an interview.

A few weeks ago, Filipina domestic helper Guen Aguilar was arrested in Singapore for killing and chopping up her fellow domestic helper and close friend, Jane La Puebla.

But Brillantes said reports that foreign employers are now hesitant to hire Filipino domestic helpers following the slaying in Singapore were baseless and untrue.

"The employers are well aware that the (murder case) was exceptional, isolated and not a daily occurrence," the foreign affairs official pointed out.

Brillantes admitted the incident underscored the need for a national dialogue with domestic helpers to better meet their needs.During the opening of the three-day National Domestic Workers Summit, housemaids pushed for a P2,500 minimum monthly pay and other benefits provided under the proposed "Kasambahay Bill" now pending in Congress.

Mila Tiboboz, president of Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Manggagawang Pantahanan sa Pilipinas (SUMAPI) said housemaids need at least P2,500 a month in order to live decently. — Mayen Jaymalin