My friend is an OFW in Malaysia, his boss has taken his passport tells him he cannot leave and pays him no wages. Who can help him?
OFW in Malaysia, no wages, boss took his passport
Atty. Bimbi
is a Legal expert
in the Philippines
Taking an employee's passport and refusing to pay a foreign employee his salary is a form of slavery and a form of human trafficking.
I should say that you can go to the nearest Philippine Embassy, but, often, OFWs find the personnel at our embassies very reluctant to help. Actually, since this is an election year, you can ask help from any of the candidates for president or for the senate and, in exchange for media mileage, they will help you.
But, offhand, I would have to say that there are non-government organizations and groups against human trafficking. You can go to the Malaysian police and file a complaint for human trafficking. This will be taken seriously as Malaysia is one of those countries where human trafficking (sex slaves, undocumented workers, pedophilia, etc.) is a problem.
The relatives can appeal to the OWWA here in the Philippines and with the DFA -- but, sadly, sometimes, our government (because it has huge problems) cannot give you help unless the OFw has died or is facing charges on death row.
You can also try the media or social media. Newspapers are vigilant in reporting human trafficking cases. I have also seen people post things like this on Facebook.
I wish I can be more specific, but I cannot. Usually the OFW himself turns himself over to the police authorities and makes a complaint that his passport is being withheld and his salaries are unpaid. Iyon na nga lang, sometimes, this also results in the OFW being summarily deported. So this is a risk.
I should say that you can go to the nearest Philippine Embassy, but, often, OFWs find the personnel at our embassies very reluctant to help. Actually, since this is an election year, you can ask help from any of the candidates for president or for the senate and, in exchange for media mileage, they will help you.
But, offhand, I would have to say that there are non-government organizations and groups against human trafficking. You can go to the Malaysian police and file a complaint for human trafficking. This will be taken seriously as Malaysia is one of those countries where human trafficking (sex slaves, undocumented workers, pedophilia, etc.) is a problem.
The relatives can appeal to the OWWA here in the Philippines and with the DFA -- but, sadly, sometimes, our government (because it has huge problems) cannot give you help unless the OFw has died or is facing charges on death row.
You can also try the media or social media. Newspapers are vigilant in reporting human trafficking cases. I have also seen people post things like this on Facebook.
I wish I can be more specific, but I cannot. Usually the OFW himself turns himself over to the police authorities and makes a complaint that his passport is being withheld and his salaries are unpaid. Iyon na nga lang, sometimes, this also results in the OFW being summarily deported. So this is a risk.
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