Filipino helpers win P13-M claim vs UAE ambassador

MANILA, Philippines – Three Filipinos who were reportedly maltreated by their former employer, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to Ireland, won a claim of 240,000 euros (P13.45 million)* before the European state’s Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT), reports said on Wednesday, November 26.

The Irish Independent reported that Jennifer Villaranda, Myra Calderon, and Laylanie Laporga were awarded the amount over an unfair dismissal suit earlier junked by the Rights Commissioner but was elevated to the tribunal.

Their former employer – UAE Ambassador Khalid Nasser Rashed Lootah and his wife Mehra Metad Alghubaisi – allegedly made the Filipinos do housework for 15 hours a day at 170 euros (P9,514) a month.

EAT Chairperson Niamh O’Carroll Kelly used Ireland’s national minimum wage as basis for the amount of claim in a ruling that was touted as “unprecedented” by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), which helped the 3 women in the case.

Kelly said the workers should have earned 47,000 euros (P2.63 million) a month instead, given their long working hours.

The ruling was delivered by Kelly in a hearing after the ambassador and his wife failed to appear despite repeated notice, the Irish Times reported.

Quoting one of the victims, the Irish Times reported that the 3 Filipino domestic workers were subjected to slave-like conditions.

Villaranda said she “didn’t have any day off,” adding that their passports were confiscated.

“They treated us badly, like slaves. If the food was not good and they were angry with me, they said they would put us in jail,” the victim said.

Such treatment has been reported to be widespread in the UAE and other Gulf states, with some states moving toward abolishing a visa sponsorship system that enables employers to gain inordinate control over migrant workers. 

The Irish Times said the 3 Filipino migrant workers “had initially worked for the ambassador in the UAE before coming to Ireland with the family in April 2011” for his diplomatic assignment.

RTÉ.ie reported, however, that the ambassador would invoke diplomatic immunity. 

“So it’s unclear when – if ever – the women will receive their €240,000 (P13.45 million) award,” the report read further.

The previous hearing before the Rights Commissioner was ruled in favor of the ambassador, after he employed the same tactic of invoking diplomatic immunity.

But EAT Chairperson Kelly had said in her oral ruling that by not paying the 3 Filipino women the minimum wage, the ambassador and his wife breached Ireland workers’ statutory rights, RTÉ.ie reported.

RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland’s National Public Service Broadcaster. – Rappler.com

*1 euro = P55.97