A 35-year-old Filipino domestic worker, named Sarah Grace Suriaga, was repatriated to her home country on Thursday, one week after she uploaded a video on social media where she asked for help to go back home.
The Philippine Embassy confirmed the woman's repatriation on Friday. Arab News had tried to reach Suriaga on her cell phone the same day, to no avail, indicating that she already left for Manila.
Her video was picked up by many human rights advocates and shared by various social media users, going viral in a matter of a few days. It was also viewed by over half a million people, including officials and print media, prompting the embassy to act expeditiously.
The news was flashed on the front page of Arab News on Dec. 9, prompting her employer to order the immediate repatriation of the household worker. A final exit visa and ticket were issued, according to the Philippines Overseas Labor Office's staff in the Eastern Province.
Suriaga, mother of three, told Arab News on Dec. 8 that she had already recovered from her Urinary Tract Infection, of which she complained in the video, but was worried as the clip had gone viral. Suriaga can be seen in the video crying and complaining about her employer's failure to provide treatment for her illness.
“Actually I was getting my salary every month but was sick from UTI since Nov. 30 and wanted to go home,” Suriaga told Arab News. She confirmed she had not been physically hurt by her employers, but was homesick after working in the Kingdom for six months.
