SILAY CITY – Hinigaran resident Mila Rose Canson Saturday vowed never to work again as a domestic helper in other countries.

Mila Rose, 38, who returned to Negros Saturday, and her sister-in-law, Venus Canson, who returned Jan. 30, shared common bitter and unforgettable experiences of maltreatment while working as domestic helpers in Singapore.

While recalling her ordeal at the hands of the sister of her employer, Herman Wee, Mila Rose, who almost broke into tears, said she was working 20 hours a day and only allowed to eat noodles and leftovers.

She was taking care of an 84-year-old woman and the child of her employer, and doing household chores, Mila Rose said.

“I was working like a carabao,” she said.

She was not allowed to have a cellphone to communicate with her family and friends, Mila Rose said.

Mila Rose showed burn marks on her right hand, that she said were inflicted by the sister of her employer.

But she was forced to sign documents, which indicated that she had been treated well, Mila Rose said.

The return of Mila Rose and her sister-in-law, Venus, were facilitated by Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th District).

She was recruited through the Internet by a woman she identified only as Mitch Iwayan, a Bacoleña, Mila Rose said.

Iwayan asked her for P5,000, on top of the placement fee required from her by the Better Recruitment Agency, which was paid through salary deduction, she said.

Mila Rose left Dec. 28 last year to work in Singapore, a day ahead of her sister-in-law, with a contract salary of 350 Singapore dollars a month.

Of her 350 Singapore dollars salary, Mila Rose said she only received $50 a month, as the balance went to salary deductions.

She advised those who want to work as domestic helpers abroad never to trust strangers who recruit them.*GPB

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