Ex-OFW claims Bertiz’s recruitment agency engaged in human trafficking
An officer of the House Ethics and Privileges Committee receives the copies of complaint lodged by former OFW Shiela Mabunga (partly hidden). She is assisted by the group Migrante Philippines in filing an ethics complaint against ACTS OFW Representative Aniceto Bertiz III, based on allegations that the congressman does not represent the interest of OFWs. INQUIRER.net photo / Gabriel Pabico Lalu
A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) presented by Migrante Philippines on Thursday claimed that controversial lawmaker ACTS OFW Representative Aniceto Bertiz III is involved in human trafficking.
“Noong ako ay dumating na sa Saudi Arabia, nalaman ko na magkaiba ang employer sa dala kong kontrata at sa aking working visa. Ito ay patunay na isang human trafficker ang agency ni Congressman Bertiz,” Shiela Mabunga claimed in a press briefing after they filed an ethics complaint against Bertiz at the House Committee on Ethics.
(When I arrived at Saudi Arabia, I learned that my employer indicated in my contract is different from the employer in my working visa. This is a proof that the agency of Congressman Bertiz is involved in human trafficking.)
Mabunga said that she originally applied as a cook in Dubai through Keys Placement in 2013, an agency allegedly owned by Bertiz’ wife. However, she was transferred to Global Asia Alliance Consultant Inc. (GAACI), which Bertiz owns.
GAACI fielded her as a household worker to an employer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who maltreated her and refused to pay her. According to her, she notified GAACI of the abuses that she experienced but the agency did nothing on her complaint.
Article continues after this advertisement“Ipinarating ko sa pamunuan ng Global Asia ang hirap na naransan ko, pagmamaltrato, pagmamalupit […] mahirap ang mga dinanas ko sa pekeng employer na pinagdeployan nila sa akin, bukod ‘don wala pang sahod,” she noted.
Article continues after this advertisement(I called the attention of Global Asia regarding the hardships, maltreatment and abuse that I experienced… What I experienced with the fake employer was really disappointing aside from no salary was given to me.)
She said that her family tried to contact Bertiz’ agency for help, but they were neglected. According to her, she also pleaded to Bertiz to bring her home during a meeting in Saudi Arabia in 2015.
However, Bertiz allegedly insisted that she return to her work, promising her repatriation and assistance for her college education in exchange for not filing any cases against GAACI and her employer.
“Ipinarating ng pamilya ko ang sitwasyon ko doon, sinabi nilang kailangan lang daw ng pera ng pamilya ko kaya tumatawag sa Global Asia. Minsan ako kinausap, ngunit ang pakiusap ng representative na tapusin ko ang kontrata dahil sayang ang pera,” she added.
(My family informed them about my plight, but the agency said my family just wanted money as the reason why they are calling Global Asia. A representative talked to me and asked me to just finish the length of the contract or else it was just a waste of money.)
She lamented that she went out of the country fit, and returned in a bad health, barring her from working.
“Fit to work ako nang ako ay umalis ng bansa. Nakakalungkot na ngayon ako ay paralisado. Ito ba ang sinasabi mong representative ka ng OFW sa kongreso?” she asked.
(I was fit to work when I left the country. It is saddening that now I am paralyzed. Is this what you say that you represent the OFW in Congress?)
A LinkedIn profile by a certain Aniceto R. Bertiz III which shows the lawmaker’s photo says that he is the President and CEO of GAACI, “an International professional staffing company specializing in assisting clients to strategically identify and attract the world’s most outstanding performers.”
Mabunga also said that she has filed a case against GAACI and Bertiz before the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and National Labor Relations Commission in 2016.
Bertiz, who has been involved in one controversy after another, is facing an ethics complaint filed by Migrante International for allegedly misrepresenting OFWs, because of a supposed conflict of interest with owning recruitment agencies.
Bertiz already issued an apology regarding the controversies he was involved in. /jpv
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