RP Embassy in the UAE Helpless?????
Ganito ba talaga na walang pondo ang ating embahada sa UAE? Ano na ang ginagawa ng OWWA sa UAE? Mangyayari o nangyayari rin kaya ito dito sa Qatar?
source:http://www.gmanews.tv/story/188446/rp-embassy-in-uae-helpless-in-repatri...
The body of a teenage Filipina domestic helper remains in a morgue in the United Arab Emirates because the Philippine Embassy has no funds to repatriate her remains.
This was disclosed by the Philippine Embassy's Assistance to Nationals head Ahmed Bajunaid, who confirmed that the remains of Rahima Jamal, a 19-year old female domestic worker in Dubai, have been in a morgue in Ras Al Khaimah for over two months now.
“We have been following it up. The employer doesn’t want to pay for the shipment of her remains so we’re asking immigration officials to intervene," Bajunaid said in an interview with GMANews.TV.
The migrants’ rights group Migrante earlier scored the Embassy for its alleged helplessness in repatriating Jamal's remains.
“Our consulate has been really slow in helping our compatriots. An official from the consulate has said they already have Jamal’s death certificate but the problem is they still have to look for funds to bring home her remains," said Migrante-UAE chairperson Noel Tolentino.
Jamal, a native of Mindanao, reportedly died after suffering trauma and severe head injuries, according to an autopsy report.
In an earlier report, she was said to have died of bleeding from her head wounds. (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/186893/uae-cops-begin-probe-on-pinay-maids-m...)
Bajunaid, however, said the Embassy is practically “helpless" as it has no budget to fund the repatriation of Jamal’s remains.
“The consulate does not have the budget to shoulder the repatriation of her remains," Bajunaid admitted.
Migrante also called for an investigation on the probable liability of her employer, identified as Mohammed Sala Sultan, as he allegedly failed to immediately report Jamal’s death.
Bajunaid said the investigation of the case is already pending before the Ras Al Khaimah police station.
He added Jamal may have faked her birth certificate to reflect she was no longer a teenager and be allowed to work in the UAE.
The country’s laws clearly prohibit teenagers from being employed in whatever kind of job.
“The Embassy has no sufficient methods to determine whether these workers are faking their papers. They are forced to do that to be able to work abroad and help their families," Bajunaid explained.
He added the Embassy cannot set a timeframe as to when her body will be sent back to the Philippines.
