OFW uses online platform to advise fellow Filipinos on proper employment practices

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who has had the misfortune of landing odd jobs and not getting paid right, is now a crusading social media influencer giving followers guidelines on job hunting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Forty-three-year-old Abdulhamid Bandon of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat said he is doing his crusade so that other Filipinos would not suffer the way he did when he arrived 17 years ago.

“I use my platform to educate and provide information to those who have no idea or access, so that I may be able to help them in my own little way,” said Bandon, a sociology undergrad from Mindanao State University (MSU), in a mix of English and the vernacular.

Twenty-six years old at the time, Bandon’s first job was as a shawarma maker in Ajman, a city neighboring Dubai to the north.

“My salary was AED500 a month, working 12 hours a day, with no day off. I was doing that for a year and half. My meal was literally just a burger or sandwich – one for lunch and one for dinner. I didn’t have any means to buy extra food because I had to remit my full salary to (my family) in the Philippines,” said Bandon, who paid for his sister's college tuition.

Middle of nowhere

When the shawarma cafeteria was temporarily closed for renovation, Bandon’s employer sent him to work at a desert farm in the middle of nowhere, an hour away from the city by car. Food was regularly delivered on Fridays.

“I was feeding chicken, sheep and camels. I couldn’t say no since I was only new, and because I didn’t want to go back home until my sister is done with her university degree,” said Bandon. His sister took up a course in education and has since graduated from MSU and is now a teacher.

Bandon said he would himself to sleep at night thinking that his father didn’t send him to school to be miserable. He said he didn’t tell his family back home about his situation.

“I didn’t want them to worry. I just prayed and hoped everything will be okay,” he said.

Bandon finally got back to Ajman, but as the cafeteria was still closed, he had to stay at the accommodation having only paratha, Indian flat bread, and water for his meal. His situation went on for a month.

“I only have AED150 in my pocket. The paratha cost AED.50 fils at the time. I lost a lot of weight,” he said.

A year later, Bandon’s employer transferred him to a restaurant where he was paid AED1,000 and he was also given a day-off. Bandon was overwhelmed with joy. But it was short lived.

He quit after a month because, he said, their co-workers would ask them to do other tasks.

“I didn’t get gratuity (end of service benefits). I didn’t ask for it. I only wanted my freedom back,” said Bandon.

Darkest hour

He found another job but again quit because the new employer didn’t work on his employment visa. His darkest hour was when Bandon ended up sleeping, for two weeks, at a beach, bathing with only sea water.

Finally, another opportunity came, this time at a hotel apartment where he got a job as waiter, barista, receptionist and housekeeping supervisor. But the establishment closed and Bandon was again looking for work.

It was around 2014 when Bandon got a more stable job at an international restaurant chain where he was also able to travel across the region on company expense to give training.

In all, Bandon said he has worked in 10 different companies, “including those that didn’t give me employment visa and just used up my visit visa till it expired,” he said.

Some employers have been known to engage in this illegal practice where a job seeker on a visit visa is promised work, but without having their papers processed, leaving the latter scampering to have the visit visa renewed before it expires.

Social media influencer

Last year, Bandon obtained his license to work as social media influencer.

His Facebook group, MPD -Pinoy Feed Dubai (Mga Pinoy sa Dubai) has over 300,000 followers. His TikTok account, MPDPinoyfeed, has 278,000 followers, while his YouTube channel has 16,000 subscribers.

“It’s mostly OFW contents/vlogs related to travelling in and out of the Philippines, like requirements, passport, contract verifications with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA, and matters related to the Department of Migrant Workers and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. I also have Philippine and UAE news, as well as entertaining and inspiring content,” said Bondan, who worked as a crew of a local burger chain before he went to UAE. — BAP, GMA Integrated News