Gabriela Solons call on Government to Investigate on the Death of Filipina OFW, Express Welfare of Filipinos Working Abroad

The Gabriela Women’s Party representatives call justice for Eugenia Baja, the overseas Filipino worker who died of a mysterious cause in Saudi Arabia on February 24 and whose body has just recently been repatriated.

“The unknown nature of her death warrants an investigation. We are calling on the Philippine government to cooperate with the proper authorities to know the real cause of and thus give justice to her death,” Gabriela solon Luzviminda C. Ilagan said.

According to Migrante International, Baja’s family was informed on March 3 that the OFW died of an illness in a hospital in the Middle Eastern country. A second report from the Department of Foreign Affairs, however, stated that she committed suicide.

One month before her death, Baja’s family received a text message from her asking for help.

The partylist representatives also called on the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA) to investigate on the anomalous nature of Baja’s recruitment. She signed a contract with a US-based company to work as a patient server in Saudi Arabia but was employed as a domestic helper. Her family also mentioned that she complained about not being given her salary.

“Our OFWs are not given enough protection by the government despite their help in keeping our economy afloat,” Ilagan said. “It is alarming how many of our so-called heroes fell victim to illegal recruitment, illegal detention and exploitation in other countries.”