POEA suspends 2 firms for deploying underage maid

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has suspended two recruitment agencies for deploying a 13-year-old girl to work as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, where she was allegedly abused by her employer.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac said yesterday he has issued a preventive suspension order to Sherene Manpower and Al Sayyar recruitment agencies while they are under investigation. Under POEA rules, recruitment agencies cannot deploy domestic helpers below 23 years old.

The girl, a native of Sarangani, was reportedly abused by her employer shortly after arriving in Riyadh last April. She escaped from her employer last July 5 and sought refuge with the Philippine embassy.