Pinay worker endures ‘cold treatment’

A domestic helper who was literally kept in the freezer by her Arab employer each time she made a mistake, showed the effects of her ordeal upon her arrival in Manila yesterday.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) identified the victim as Marcelina Arce, 50, a native of Ilocos Sur.

Arce arrived at the NAIA the other day from Sharja, Dubai on board Thai Airways Flight TG-620 via Bangkok, Thailand.

Arce, who worked in Sharja, told the OWWA that her Arab employer often placed her inside a large freezer for about 30 minutes when she messed up her daily chores.

The traumatic experience apparently affected Arce’s mental condition.

Arce was sent back to the Philippines by her employer when her condition worsened.

The victim was given medication inside the plane to calm her down during the trip, the OWWA said.

Upon arrival at NAIA, Arce went wild again as she started shouting before breaking into tears.

Medical personnel of NAIA attended to her and tried to calm her down again before turning her over to a hospital.

Arce left the Philippines to work in Dubai in Feb. 4.

She was given a salary of $50 dinar, roughly P9,000 a month. — Sandy Araneta