KAPIT SA PATALIM

household service workers

The world rotates in such ironic way where people will sacrifice to leave their beloveds and go
abroad without knowing menace and fate waiting for them. It’s heartbreaking hearing those stories of
cruelty and harassment which sometimes causes traumatic experience and tragic death. How Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFW) are still taking serious risk to sustain and support financial need of their family
regardless of pressure and threat? What would be the action of our government to solve issues and
concerns in securing their welfare?

This relevant issue documented by Atom Araullo that was televised months ago is one of the
crucial problems of our country since more than two million of our countrymen are overseas workers
and most of them are domestic labors. After the breaking news about nefarious murder to Jeanelyn
Villavende in Quait, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) implemented the partial
deployment ban in the said country. It creates a huge effect mainly to all household service workers for
they will not be able to send money to their relatives here in the Philippines. It was a big reduction or
loss for them since their family only relies on them. The documentary brought an awakening message
and inspiring stories of survivals. It was detailed with experiences and priceless values that will surely
help especially those who are intending to go abroad. The video conveys diverse realizations and specific
advice to educate, uplift, and uphold potential outcomes.

The darkness and grief behind the video really caught my attention and made me cried as I
continue viewing it. Mostly, some of us are excited for the “package” of our OFW family member over
their sacrifices and sorrows in return. It is inevitable for them to meet strict employers which might
abuse them so the government should take an action and policies for their security. I firmly believe that
no abuse should be tolerated. It must be taken into the law and should be dealt with. Above all, poverty
could be the main reason why some of our fellow citizens decided to go abroad just for the sake of their
family. It’s very sad how our government let them do it and not giving them alternative livelihoods here
in the Philippines to avoid such crimes experienced by other domestic workers. Carrying themselves,
bringing those inspirations and goals that one day, they will escape from hardships and sustain their
needs; they will take bags of their clothes and only their prowess to take care other people then.
 Only when people are born affluent, domestic workers are no more. Only when our government
will provide enough means of support for them, cruelty and grief are no more. Once everyone has
sympathy, no one will think to work abroad. Let’s help each other. Together, we will rise!