DH | Prosecutor says exploitation ‘not proven’ in Filipino case

PHILIPSBURG–The Prosecutor’s Office said on Friday that exploitation has not been proven in the case of the three Filipino housekeepers for whom a claim to this effect was filed on July 20.

Working 16 hours a day, seven days a week for US $400 per month; restricted from going out unless their employer was accompanying them, and receiving strict instructions that they should not engage in conversations with persons outside of their boss’ household are amongst the experiences the three Filipino women said they had experienced at the hands of two Front Street merchants who hired them to cook and clean at their private residence in St. Johns Estate.

The three women have since left the country.

“These kinds of claims are taken seriously and therefore immediate action was taken,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in a press release on Friday.

“Initially there was suspicion of unfair labour practices. However, this appeared to be inaccurate. Based on the desire of the women to return to the Philippines, priority was placed on ensuring their safe return. Their employers were persuaded to purchase the airline tickets. However, the women did not accept the airline tickets, because they did not receive an outstanding payment and because they felt they were being exploited.”

The Prosecutor’s Office said the women’s lawyer had, in the meantime, requested that a criminal investigation be initiated. “This was carried out and the Prosecutor’s Office maintained that no evidence of exploitation was discovered. Although the women may claim unfair labour practices, their case should not be resolved by penal law. Instead, their claim against their employers should be taken before a judge in civil court,” it was stated in the release.

The three women – ages 26, 31 and 32 – were rescued by a representative of the local United Filipinos of St. Maarten in July.

When asked about the allegations after the matter was made public, the women’s former employers, businessmen Haresh Sachdev and Navin Rupani, both denied the allegations and said the accusations were “all lies” and “false.”

Bron: Daily Herald