Recruitment agency suspended over abuse of OFWs in Saudi Arabia

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has suspended the recruitment agency that deployed several workers who were abused by their employers in Saudi Arabia.

POEA chief Bernard Olalia said they have already suspended from deploying overseas Filipino workers Philippine recruitment agency Iemploy Manpower Services Inc.

He said POEA is also investigating Iemploy’s foreign partners.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III had ordered an investigation on Iemploy and Saudi recruitment agency Madar Al Kharj that could also face sanctions following the rape of a Filipina worker in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Bello earlier ordered an investigation and vowed to run after recruitment agencies that deployed a 22-year-old household service worker who was raped by her agency representative in Jeddah.

He said the rape case is considered “case closed” since the Filipina worker agreed to a settlement.   

“It turned out the Filipina victim agreed to a settlement. It would have been better if we fought it out. But she may have already issued an affidavit of desistance so we can no longer pursue the case,” Bello said.

“But that is not to say we cannot go against the agency, especially so that the rape suspect is an officer of the recruitment agency. The agency definitely has a liability,” Bello added.

Until this time, Bello said, operations of the two recruitment agencies have not yet been suspended.

Bello, however, said that the Philippine government will file appropriate charges once the POEA has completed its investigation.