Ajman: More than 80 Filipina workers have been living in total darkness as their employer has vanished without paying the utility bills and two months of their salaries.
Radio 2: Nasreen Abdulla reports on some accommodation problems in the UAE
* Audio supplied by 99.3 106 Radio 2
Since September 17, the 84 Filipina cleaners have been groping in the dark without water as power and water supplies to the 12-bedroom accommodation have been cut off.
The workers, recruited by Al Farabi Manpower Service in Manila and employed by Dubai-based Lavito Building Cleaning Services, were outsourced cleaners and office assistants.
Uncertain future
Out of the 84, more than 20 have been sleeping rough at the roof top of their accommodation — Villa 72 on Street 159 in Ajman. Lavito's phone and fax numbers are not working any more.
"The day-time heat is unbearable and we don't know which corner to go," said Mary Grace Teneros, 31, a former vendor from Quiapo, Manila.
According to the Dubai Airport Meteorological Office, the average maximum temperature in September is 38.9°C.
The workers filed a complaint with the Philippine Overseas Labour Office and the Ministry of Labour in Dubai early this month.
The girls said their contract, approved by the Department of Labour in Manila, shows Dh1,800 as their monthly salary, but a side contract submitted to the UAE Labour Ministry states Dh700.
Teneros showed XPRESS two contracts both bearing her name, but one has her fake signature. "I don't know who signed my contract here on my behalf, but that's not my signature," she said.
"I stopped working since September 15 because it's of no use," said Jonalyn Dordas, 32, from Capiz province. Dordas added that they arrived in several batches at the end of January 2009, but their temporary employment visa had expired in March 2009 and Lavito did not secure a residency visa for them. "We've just recently found out that we've been working illegally here. I never thought I would end up this way."
Raquel, 36, from Bulacan province, said some good Samaritans have been giving them food, but that's not enough. "We don't want to be a burden on others. We want to do decent jobs."
Amilbahar Amilasan, the Philippine Labour Consul in Dubai, said he is aware of the cleaners' plight and is in touch with the Manila recruiters and Dubai authorities. "We leave the decision on this case to the UAE authorities. We are in touch with the agency in Manila and they are cooperating. We are helping the workers the best way we can."
The workers said if given a temporary work permit, they may find a job and get their lives back on track.
