Inquiry sought on alleged torture of Pinay in HK

MANILA, Philippines - Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz yesterday ordered the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration  (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to investigate the case of a Filipina worker in Hong Kong who was reportedly tortured by her employer. 

Baldoz ordered an investigation after receiving the report of Philippine Labor Attaché to Hong Kong Manuel Roldan about Rowenan Uychiat’s case.

Roldan said that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong has already blacklisted Uychiat’s employer, Yui Anna Hoi Yin, for abusing her.

“This means Yui Anna Hoi Yin cannot hire another worker unless police investigation shows otherwise. The POLO will not process any contract document which the employer will present as a pre-requisite to visa issuance,” Roldan added. 

Based on POEA records, Uychiat was first deployed on July 7, 2009 to Kuwait for a two-year contract as a household service worker by Mirben International Manpower Services with a US$400 monthly salary. She returned and was redeployed to Hong Kong in July last year. 

Baldoz said that Uychiat is an active member of OWWA so she is entitled to livelihood and loan assistance should she decide to come back to the Philippines. 

Uychiat is also entitled to scholarship grants for her children and medical benefits from PhilHealth.

Uychiat could also avail of legal assistance from POLO for labor aspect and from the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong for non-labor aspect.

Roldan said that 3,545 employers are under the watchlist of POLO in Hong Kong. In 2013, 320 of them were put under the watchlist and 27 in the first two months of 2014.

POLO encourages Filipino workers of these employers to report any inappropriate working conditions, abuses and maltreatment.