Tulfo to Dep’t of Migrant Workers: Sue erring recruitment firms

Senator Raffy Tulfo urged the Department of Migrant Workers on Wednesday to file charges against the local and foreign recruitment agencies of OFW Jovelyn Tang Andres, a domestic helper who was allegedly abused and died in Saudi Arabia.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, wants legal action brought against the local employment firm Gulf Synergy Employment Inc., and its Saudi counterpart, Manabe Foreign Recruitment Agency, and a lady who reportedly hired Andres.

Gulf Synergy President Arnulfo Babiera admitted that Andres' condition was not properly tracked by the agency, and expressed regret to the OFW's family.

Even though the company has a welfare officer, Barbiera said no report from Manabe reached him about Andres' condition.

"Are you stupid or just trying to be stupid?… You don't know, you just found out? Jovelyn was sold repeatedly and you just found out now?" Tulfo said.

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the licenses of the two recruitment agencies have been suspended and charges of recruitment breach brought against them. The department has also been in touch with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

Tulfo also requested that the DMW investigate the possibility of Gulf Synergy continuing to operate under a different name.

Migrant Workers Secretary Toots Ople said a representative of the department will travel to Saudi Arabia next month to seek authorities' action against the negligent recruitment agency. She also suggested that hiring through an agency that receives a commission be made illegal.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega likewise said his department will extend all assistance to Andres' family.