An organization for Overseas Filipino Workers encouraged migrant workers to use social networking sites to seek help in case of emergencies. This after a female OFW from Bahrain posted a video on Facebook narrating her ordeal after her employer’s son raped her. The post went viral on the internet. Charges are already filed against the suspect.
John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East on Sunday said utilizing social networking sites is an “antidote for government criminal neglect and failure to provide on-site assistance.”
“We have concrete victories staging our campaign in social media sites complemented by actual mass mobilizations such was the case of then Saudi OFW-on-death-row Rogelio “Dondon” Lanuza, among several others,” Monterona said.
He added that many migrant workers especially household service workers (HSWs) in the Middle East should maintain discretely a spare personal mobile phone with an access to social networking sites. “This will serve as their lifeline amid dilly-dally assistance from the concerned [Philippine] embassy and labor and welfare officials,” Monterona said.
Meanwhile, Monterona said the Philippine embassy officials in Kuwait and in Saudi Arabia failed to provide prompt assistance to distress and stranded OFWs.
“We have endorsed numerous cases of distress and abused OFWs in Kuwait. Until now, we have not received even acknowledgement from our embassy and labor-welfare officials,” Monterona said.
