OFW sacked over colleague’s voyeurism

MANILA, Philippines — A female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is seeking justice with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), alleging she was illegally terminated by her employer in Taiwan after she accused her colleague of voyeurism.

The OFW arrived in the country on June 25 after her employer, Catcher Technology Inc., dismissed her.

In her handwritten narration obtained by recruitment consultant Manny Geslani, the OFW said she was sleeping in the company barracks when her coordinator, identified as Jayson Suarez Rima, drew aside the curtain on her bunk bed and took photos of her in her nightwear.

The OFW said she found that her photo was posted on social media. She reported the incident to her supervisor while Rima denied taking photos of her and posting on social media.

The complainant said that in the presence of her broker, the manager terminated her and told her she had 30 minutes to pack her bags before she is brought to a safe house.

She said she decided to withdraw her complaint with Taiwan’s Council of Labor Affairs for fear she might be blacklisted and prevented from returning to Taiwan.

The OFW said she decided to file a complaint against her local agency and her employer for her unjust and unfair termination.   – Rudy Santos