Labatt issues warning on cleaning windows

Labor Attache Jalilo Dela Torre

Labor Attaché Jalilo Dela Torre has warned Filipino domestic workers against cleaning the windows of their employer’s home, especially if they in a high-rise building and there is no ledge or balcony outside.

Dela Torre said cleaning the windows from the outside is “not ordinarily part” of the duties of FDHs and that newly-arrived domestic workers are reminded about this.

“That’s not ordinarily part of your duties kasi may mga building management cleaners. Yung sa inside windows na lang ang linisin, lalo na pag walang ledge o balcony,” Dela Torre said in an interview.

“Delikado. Huwag na silang mag-attempt niyan,” he added.

Dela Torre issued the warning after a 35-year-old FDH fell to her death in LOHAS Park on August 8.

He said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office was already assisting the victim’s family, including her nine-year-old son.

“Single mother siya. Entitled (yung anak sa) full scholarship, all the way to college, basta mapakita yung birth certificate at nandun ang pangalan ng mother. Kahit hindi siya nakadeclare na beneficiary,” Dela Torre said.

A relative of the worker earlier went to the Philippine Consulate General and sought a thorough investigation of her death.

According an aunt of the dead helper, who is also a domestic worker, went to the consulate and said that her 35-year-old niece had quarrel with her employer a day before her death.

“Apparently, the day before the OFW fell, parang naterminate ba siya o tinerminate ng amo. Nag-away,” Dela Torre said.

He said that, according to the aunt, the worker returned to her building but did not find her employer and so she decided to sleep.

“Pagkagising niya near midnight, nakita niyang nandun nandoon yung employer nanunuod ng TV. Hindi siya pinansin,” Dela Torre said.

“Inassume niya na OK lang (so) kinaumagahan, she resumed her duties which included the cleaning of the windows,” he added.

Dela Torre said the aunt and the worker communicated with each other before she cleaned the windows. The employer was reportedly not home at the time and the police ruled out foul play.

“Nag-usap sila ng tita na maglilinis siya ng bintana,” he said.

The worker fell from her employer’s flat on the 49th floor and was declared dead on the spot when the police found her remains.

The worker is a single mother with a nine-year-old son living with her parents back in the Philippines.

Dela Torre said the aunt was also wondering as someone had apparently uninstalled a messenger app on the victim’s phone.

He added that her statement would be submitted to the police.