A number of Filipino domestic helpers and their supporters in United Kingdom (UK) expressed their dismay against the latest amendments in the immigration laws of UK for overseas domestic workers (ODW) by staging a protest to the Houses of Parliament in the heart of the London borough of the City of Westminster.

The group of protesters met at Trafalgar Square before marching down to the Houses of Parliament. They are carrying placards and shouting together “Stop abuse of domestic workers”

In an ABS-CBN Europe interview with Aida Dunlea of United Workers Association (UWA), Dunlea said, “Lahat ng dadating ngayon sa United Kingdom, di na pwedeng magtagal. Pwede lang hanggang anim na buwan at pagkatapos, they have to go back sa bansang kanilang pinanggalingan.”

Dunlea worked as a domestic worker in UK for 5 years. Before coming to the UK, she was also a domestic helper in Singapore for 10 years. At present, she helps Filipino domestic workers who have to escape from their abusive employers.

She said, “Kami ay natatakot na ang abuso sa mga domestic worker ay magaganap uli. Mga sampung taon kaming nag-rally para mabigyan sila ng work visa, bigla na lang uling tinanggal ng gobyerno.”

The Philippine Muslim Association of UK was also present at the rally to show support for the Muslim OFWs. According to Attan Abdurajak, many of their Muslim sisters have experienced abuse while working with their employers from the Middle East. When they had a chance to leave their employers here in London, many of them have sought refuge in their organization.

Abdurajak said, “Dahil marami sila (domestic workers) sa Arab world na dinadala ng amo nila dito kaya parating pa ang mga taga-Mindanao dito at tumutulong kami sa kanila,” said Abdurajak. 

He added, “Ang pinaglalaban namin yung for humanity, ang mga workers na ito ay pareho ng residents ng UK na tax payer kahit sila bago na dumating, tax payer pa rin sila. Kaya itong bagong batas di sangayon sa karapatang pantao o human rights.”

The new immigration law states that domestic workers who apply to accompany their employers to the UK will be tied to one employer. If they experience abuse and exploitation they will face the options of continuing to suffer, flee and become illegal or go back to their country.

This provision in the new system, according to Dunlea and Abdurajak, will put Pinoy DH back into the ‘days of slavery.’