Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign affairs, also asked the DFA and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) to work for the immediate repatriation of Gwendalyn Amazona, who is allegedly being beaten up and physically abused by a female suspect.
He urged the government to drop its foreign policy of fear and flex its muscles in protecting Filipino migrant workers.
“Nobody has the right, not even members of a prominent family or any public official, to maltreat any individual,” he said. “Foreign affairs officials must immediately act on the complaint.”
Amazona’s family has sought the senator’s help for the immediate repatriation of Gwendalyn, whose two-year contract ended last Jan 17. The family fears that her life may be in danger in the hands of her employer.
Glendalyn reportedly wrote to her family that she was not being paid and getting rest. She was also allegedly dragged down the stairs by hair and was banged against the door or wall by her employers.
Villar urged the DFA to file a case against Glendalyn’s employer and the OWWA to help Gwendalyn document her salary deficiencies to be able to claim against her employer through the recruiting agent in Manila and extend whatever benefits are due her as an OWWA member.
“The case would be a challenge for the Philippine government to demonstrate to other countries that it will and it can protect its workers abroad,” he said. “We cannot allow our own people to suffer silently in the hands of their abusive and powerful employers.”