3 OFWs rescued from alleged abusive employer in Kuwait

Authorities saved three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were suffering from alleged abuse by their employer in Kuwait.

On JP Soriano's "24 Oras" report, the victims first reported about their complaints against their employer to GMA News last June 11. They said their employer imprisoned them and started hitting them after they asked if they can resign from work. 

Aside from the abuses, the workers said their employer also confiscated their government IDs and cash.

After learning about their situation, the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs reported the incident to Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, who then coordinated with Kuwait police for the rescue of the three domestic workers.

On June 12, the three were released from their employer, who was forced to bring them to the Kuwait police.

Ruby, one of the workers, narrated how their employer threatened them and made it difficult for them to get rescued.

"In the car, We were very scared because he tried to go around different routes. He kept pulling the brakes because he knows I get easily dizzy inside the vehicle," she said, in Filipino.

At one point, Rose, another helper, said their employer forced them not to speak about their situation.

Victims said they were only able to talk to their families over the weekend as they were not allowed to have any form of communication while working in Kuwait.

"I felt very relieved that I managed to talk to my sister-in-law and my sister. I could not stop crying. I thought I was going to die after I was beaten up," one of the domestic helpers said before she broke into tears.

It is not yet clear whether the employer faced penalty but the victims are mulling to file cases against them.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News