5 Pinay victims of illegal recruiter rescued in China

MANILA, Philippines - Five Filipino women were rescued from their employers in Shenzhen, China, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Quoting a report from the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, the DFA said the rescue was made with the assistance of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau and the local police.

One Filipina was assisted on Dec. 29, 2011, another was rescued when police conducted a raid on Jan. 8, and three were assisted on Jan. 10.

The five women, between 22 to 41 years old, were recruited by a Filipina based in Macau to work as English tutors to wealthy families in China.

They were promised a salary of RMB4,800 (around $800) a month and a valid visa for six months.

However, they were actually employed as household workers with a salary of only RMB3,800 a month (about $500). The victims were informed by the agency upon arrival that they have to work for at least two months without any salary because they need to pay their visa fee amounting to RMB8,000 ($1,300) each.

Three of the victims previously worked legally as household service workers in Hong Kong. One of the Filipinas, aged 28, had permanent employment in the province. The youngest graduated from college only last year.

The consulate assisted the Filipinos in filing their complaints before the proper authorities in Shenzhen. Two of the women were repatriated Monday, while the three other victims are being provided temporary accommodation by the consulate pending an investigation by Chinese authorities.

The DFA warned would-be overseas workers that foreign household service workers are not allowed in China. The penalty for overstaying in China is a minimum detention of one month and a fine of RMB5,000 ($750).