Image capture from video by ABS-CBN News via YouTube channel- An OFW in Dubai featured in the PiliPinas Debates receives a job offer in the Philippines
- OFW Cristy Guinto got a chance to ask presidential candidates about their plans for migrants
- A Filipino-Chinese businesswoman offered her a job and support for her child’s education
An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) based in Dubai who shared her story to the presidential candidates during the third and final leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2016 has received a job offer to return home to work in the Philippines.
Cristy Guinto, who works as a domestic helper in the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), told her story as a mother struggling homesickness and actual illness working in a foreign country. She was given an opportunity to ask the five presidential candidates about their respective platforms for OFWs like her and in ensuring stable jobs in the Philippines.
Guinto says she is forced to stay in Dubai for work despite having been diagnosed with a health condition due to having little job opportunities in the Philippines. She is currently drowned in debt, has no medical insurance in UAE, and has even attempted to take her own life due to the desperation.
“Masyadong mahirap po kasi lalo na ‘pag may sakit. Parang feeling ko nag-iisa ako. Feeling ko ako na lang tao sa mundo, tapos ang dami ko pang financial problem [It is very difficult especially when suffering with an illness. It’s like I feel that I am alone. I feel like I’m the only person in the world, with so many financial problems],” she told ABS-CBN News in an interview which aired after the debates.
After her story was featured during the debates last April 24, Elsie Chua, a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman in the real estate and tableware industry who happened to be traveling in Dubai at that time, decided to offer her kababayan a job back in the Philippines.
“Pwede ko siyang isama ko sa hotel housekeeping. Sa akin lang ang importante dito wala siyang maipadalang pera dahil sa utang monthly. E doon, may trabaho ka na, kasama mo pa ‘yung pamilya mo. ‘Yun ang importante. [I can hire her in hotel housekeeping. For me, the important thing is, she cannot send money because of her monthly debt. But there, she will have a job, she will be with her family. That is what’s important],” Chua explained.
In addition, the businesswoman plans to help Guinto finish at least her high school education for more job opportunities, as well as to support her young daughter’s schooling.
Guinto is elated with the prospect of a stable job waiting for her in the Philippines as she prepares to return home.
“Parang may nakikita po akong magandang kinabukasan pag-uwi ko sa Pilipinas na may naghihintay na trabaho para sa akin. [It’s like I see a beautiful future for me when I go home to the Philippines now that there is a job waiting for me],” she said.
The Consulate of the Philippines in Dubai promised to assist Guinto with the necessary paperwork when she decides to finally go home.
Watch the ABS-CBN News report here:
Post a Comment