331 distressed OFWs return from Kuwait

Some 331 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrived in Manila Thursday night after escaping from their abusive employers in Kuwait.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said the OFWs arrived at 10:30 p.m. on board Kuwait Airways via special flight KU-4411 — a chartered flight from Kuwait.

OWWA Administrator Virgilio Angelo said the flight was paid for by the Kuwaiti government.

He said the runaway workers had sought refuge at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait where they had stayed for six months before being repatriated to the Philippines. Most are domestic helpers.

The 331 OFWs belong to the second batch of distressed workers sent back to the Philippines after being allegedly maltreated by their employers in Kuwait. The first batch arrived last Aug. 20.

The workers claimed they endured physical, mental and sexual abuse, as well as other forms of maltreatment.

Almost all of the OFWs repatriated last Thursday had the same horror stories to tell about their ordeal at the hands of abusive employers in Kuwait.

Some of them were even sent to jail after being accused of crimes which they did not commit.

Teresa Lenguahe claimed that while behind bars in Kuwait, she witnessed abuses committed by Kuwaiti policemen on Filipinos.

"Nakita ko ang kanilang mga kalokohan. Manloloko sila at mga rapist," Lenguahe said upon her arrival in NAIA. She was locked up in jail for more than a month.

Gina Gillega showed the scars on her legs after her employer poured boiling water on her when she made a mistake in her chores.

Emma Galvez said she was forced to escape from her employer’s residence to avoid further beatings.

"Hindi ko na matagalan ang kanilang panggugulpi.Akala ko mabait sila pero hindi pala," she said.

Galvez added her employers often refused to give her meals.