Fate of overseas workers<\/p>\n
Your editorial on Filipino Sarah Balabagan (Saving workers
\nfrom gallows, Oct. 12, 1995), drew serious attention not only to
\nher plight as a victim of injustice, but to the suffering of
\ncountless other overseas workers who must have encountered
\nsimilar fates. How sad it is that many of our brothers and
\nsisters have compromised their lives and the wellbeing of their
\nfamilies in search of greener pastures, only to find themselves
\nfacing harsh environments most of them were ill-prepared for.<\/p>\n
Now that Sarah Balabagan has been spared from death, the whole
\nFilipino nation rejoices. Strong pressure from both the
\nPhilippine government and the international community must have
\nprodded the al-Baloushi family and the UAE courts to listen to
\ntheir conscience and spare her life. They say it is better to
\nfree a thousand guilty than to execute one innocent man. We
\ncannot afford another Flor Contemplacion.<\/p>\n
These incidents have forced the Philippine government to
\napproach the problem of overseas contract employment with more
\nsensitivity and caution. But it must strive to do better than
\nthat. Aside from so many magnanimous programs on overseas welfare
\n(which by the way, need to take flight), it must exert supreme
\neffort to punish those elements responsible for putting many
\nlives at stake because of sheer greed. Life is precious. It
\nshould not be sacrificed even for a little prosperity.<\/p>\n
MARIA JACINTA A. ARQUISOLA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fate-of-overseas-workers-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }