Distressed OFW back home

A distressed overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who had been stuck in Kuwait for more than six months, arrived yesterday afternoon and was met by Rep. Iggy Arroyo (5th district, Negros Occidental).

Liezl Gustillo, 23, a native of Barangay Tagda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, arrived in a wheelchair on board Kuwait Airways flight KU-411 at 4:10 p.m.

Joining Arroyo in welcoming Gustillo were Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Virgilo Angelo, OWWA Director Marianito Roque, and other OWWA representatives.

Liezl’s sister, Ritchel, also met her during an emotional reunion at the airport.

Arroyo said that during the campaign period, Ritchel called him up and asked help to bring back her sister who had been stranded in Kuwait for several months.

Liezl escaped from her employers and sought refuge at the Philippine Embassy in the Middle East country.

She said she worked in Kuwait for one year and seven months before fleeing her employers, whom she claimed beat her up each time she made a mistake.

Liezl escaped from her employers, a Kuwaiti and an Iranian, who hired her as a domestic helper.

Arroyo said he asked the help of the OWWA to help bring home the OFW.

The congressman said the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait was unable to repatriate her right away due to certain rules and regulations of Kuwait.

In Kuwait, one needs an exit visa, he said, which involves a long process.

Arroyo said the employers of Liezl also filed charges against the Filipina apparently to harass embassy people.

"She was still in the custody of the embassy when I went to the Kuwaiti Ambassador Ebrahim Al-Muhanna in Manila and explained to him the situation. The ambassador said he was willing to help us," Arroyo said.

Angelo said the OWWA paid for the one-way ticket to Manila, worth $400.

Liezl was not paid her salary by her employers during her stay in Kuwait. Angelo said the government is tracking down the recruiter in Manila and will file charges against them.

In another development, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday that at least 20 persons seeking employment abroad are victimized by illegal recruiters.

NBI-Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD) chief lawyer Romulo Asis made the assessment during a consultative meeting with heads of legitimate associations on recruitment and placement overseas.

AHTRAD receives five to eight complaints daily. Each case has three to five complainants, he said. — With Cecille Suerte Felipe