Pinay sold to another employer breaks down

MUSCAT, Oman – Filipinos at the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Muscat are concerned about the condition of a 51-year-old household service worker who allegedly became mentally unstable after her agency sold her to another employer.

“Nancy,” not her real name, first arrived in Dubai in August of last year. The Ozamiz City native worked for an Emirati employer who brought her back to her agency in Al Ain.

Last January, Nancy said her agency sold her to another employer who is based in Oman. This is allegedly to recoup the expenses paid by her agency.

But after only two months, Nancy was fetched by personnel from the Philippine Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals and brought to the custody of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

“May mga observations kami sa kanya at dahil sa mga observations na iyan, kinordinate natin don sa ATN [Assistance to Nationals] para masabihan yung kanyang sponsor who happens to be a government employee of Oman,” said Labor Attache Ernesto Bihis.

Nancy was able to tell ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau how she ended up in Oman. But after further questioning, her answers allegedly made no sense.

“Medyo siya nga po ay nagkaroon ng problema, atubili siya di namin ma-describe ang kanyang pagkilos at ang mga kasama po niya ay hindi niya pinatulog noong unang gabing nandito siya. Marami daw po siyang nadidinig, nakikita na wala naman pong nakakadinig kung di siya lang,” said OWWA Officer Erick de Jesus.

Her present state of mind has been making her fellow wards at the FWRC worried. They fear that she might harm herself when left alone.

“Umakyat siya sa bintana sabi niya may humahabol sa akin. Sino humahabol sa iyo? Yung amo ko! Yung amo ko ang humahabol sa akin,” said Evelyn Monte de Ramos.

Reports said there were several wards that came from the border of Oman and the UAE who were allegedly possessed by evil spirits.

But Bihis explained this could be due to depression, because the workers were not prepared when they left the Philippines to work overseas.

“Siguro may mga dala-dala siyang problema galing sa Pilipinas tapos pagdating dito, yung working environment niya malaki yung adjustment, pagbabago, maari di siya naka-cope,” he said.