A distressed overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Balanga City, who survived on just one meal a day for 20 months and developed two life-threatening illnesses while working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is now receiving assistance from city officials.

“There were three of us Filipino women working as maids for our employer — two lawyers and an accountant. They were well-educated but inhumane, as they only provided us with one meal a day and no snacks,” said the woman, who is in her mid-20s.

She said they worked from 6 a.m. until 3 a.m. the next day. “Most of the time, we only had three hours of sleep. We were lucky if we got five hours, but that was rare,” she said.

Despite working 21 hours a day, she revealed she was paid only P23,000 per month with no additional benefits.

According to her, many other Filipino OFWs in Riyadh endure similar maltreatment and food deprivation but choose to remain silent for fear of losing their jobs and being unable to support their families.

“We tried to order extra food online because we felt weak and dizzy from hunger, but our employer got angry and banned us from ordering food,” she said.

She thanked Mayor Francis S. Garcia and Councilor Marie A. Vasquez for aiding her through the City Social Welfare and Development Office.