OWWA recalls welfare officer from Jordan

MANILA, Philippines - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) yesterday ordered the recall of a welfare officer who allegedly tried to force a number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to go back to their abusive employers in Ammam, Jordan.

OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon said she has already recalled welfare officer Carmelira Mag-uyon back to the home office so she could face an investigation into the accusations hurled against her.

“Mag-uyon has been recalled to face immediate investigation. If it will be found that there are merits to the complaints of the OFWs, administrative procedures shall be applied,” she said.

Dimzon said OWWA also sent the affidavits of the five OFWs who filed complaints against her so that Mag-uyon could immediately answer the allegations.

“We have to hear her side of the story as this is part of the due process,” Dimzon pointed out.

Earlier, five OFWs who came home from Jordan sought the help of Sen. Manny Villar after Mag-uyon reportedly subjected them to verbal abuse whenever they followed up the cases they filed against their former employers. The OFWs also claimed that they were forced to abandon their jobs because their employers physically abused them.

Instead of helping them, the OFWs claimed Mag-uyon even tried to facilitate their return to their abusive employers.

Dimzon said the OWWA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will not tolerate any abuses and other wrongdoings committed by labor and welfare officers assigned to provide assistance to Filipino workers abroad. “We would continue to uphold our mandate to protect our OFWs,” she said.