This article is about Kriszel, a mother of 3 young children who appreciates life despite facing various dilemmas to deal with the hardship of economic stake. Kriszel was forced to work abroad as an OFW despite the consequences of being far from her family and children. Kriszel chooses to work in Qatar as a service crew in a restaurant for two years. Kriszel’s intention to work in Qatar was the same as those of 1.8 million Overseas Filipino Workers; to provide a better living for their family, better education and security, and to be financially free. However, Kriszel’s life in Qatar is unlike the icing on the cake. Kriszel struggled to work in Qatar, as her freedom as a woman was limited and restricted. Although Qatar is an open country compared to Saudi Arabia, Kriszel’s less activity in joining her Filipino community made her lifestyle a struggle. Most of the time, she spent her day-offs in her accommodation which made her realize that being away from her family is getting more complex every day. Therefore Kriszel came home to the Philippines, where she worked harder to support her family.
When Kriszel was in the Philippines, she saw the opportunity to be an OFW again but this time in Europe in the Czech Republic. Kriszel was hired by her Agency and found her very first employer in the Czech Republic. In her job contract, it was stated that she only has to work for 8hrs per day, 5 days a week, and the weekend is a rest day for Kriszel. The contract also stated that she would have her accommodation outside her employer’s house and Kriszel’s food supply. In Kriszel’s contract, her agency offered her a monthly salary of 20,000 Kć, roughly 40,000 Pesos in Philippine currency, as a Domestic Housemaid of a Czech family in the Czech Republic. When Kriszel arrived in the Czech Republic, she was surprised that her accommodation was just suitable outside the garage of her employer’s house, where a small storage room awaited her arrival.
Kriszel’s Former Employer Violated her Contract
Despite the discrepancy in the contract agreement, Kriszel opted not to whine about her storage room as her accommodation, and she was also working during weekends. Kriszel’s strong vision to practice was her fortitude and motivation to save money for her family. Without knowing that one of Kriszel’s employers, the wife has a disruptive behavioral problem such as OCD- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Kriszel chose to respect and let her woman employer’s behavior let by. However, whenever Kriszel accidentally broke a glass or missed cleaning due to tiredness and fatigue all day, she worked 12hrs a day and had less food daily. Kriszel’s boss gets furious, yelling at her and pushing her, risking Kriszel’s life. Kriszel’s weight dropped from 51 kilograms to 45 Kilos in just five months of working with her Czech Employer. Kriszel’s concerned that she might die if she continues working with her employer.
Kriszel signed a contract agreement with her Czech Employer with so much positivity stated on the contract, which she agreed and signed with the positive hypothesis and anticipation of getting a great deal for her family back in the Philippines. In return for the outstanding provision stipulated in Kriszel’s contract by law Kriszel, have to work for her Czech Employer for six months. Then if Kriszel would like to prolong her work with her Czech Employer, she can do so; otherwise, she can request her agency to transfer her to another Employer. However, during Kriszel’s 3months of working with her Czech Employer, Kriszel was eager to stop working with her Employer due to its lousy conduct of her. When Kriszel requested to halted up her employment contract, her Agency advised her to finish the 6months period so that she could exit with an excellent report of employment.
Kriszel barely survived, knowing that her life was in jeopardy, starvation, exhaustion, health issues, depression, and alone, frightened that perhaps her employer would do something to her one night. When Kriszel reached her five months period with her employer, an incident happened that she had to fight back against her wife’s Employer. Because she was humiliated enough and scared to death that she had to run away, only with her was her Philippine passport, key, and a mobile given by her Employer. Kriszel pictured the cold season nearly the beginning of winter when she escaped her Employer’s hands.
Krszel contacted her Agency, and luckily, she found her way to the bus station where she was pickup by her Agency and arrived in Prague safely. Kriszel was considering going to Bulgaria because her sister is there; however, Kriszel’s approach is still robust regardless of the possibility that her legal stay in the Czech Republic will be jeopardized as she only has a month to stay there. Krszel thinks she does not want to hassle her sister and be worried about her because her sister has her own family, kids, and a husband in Bulgaria. Kriszel doesn’t want to wreck the relationship between her sister to her sister’s husband. Going home to the Philippines then was the very last option for Kriszel.
Kriszel Meet Pinoy Care in Prague with Eden Pohan
Kriszel heard about Eden Pohan in the Filipino Facebook community. She spoke with numerous people, most of whom recommended Kriszel speak with Eden Pohan. Until Kriszel and Eden finally meet with Ondrej Pohan. Without hesitation, Kriszel plays and gambles herself for another chance hoping that Eden Pohan will give her anything work enabling her to prolong Kriszel’s Legal Visa to stay longer in the country. Because Eden Pohan manages several branches of her Massage Salon Business, Eden and Ondrej Pohan’s only option is to employ Kriszel as one of their Massage Therapies. However, Kriszel has no proposition training and legal certificate as a Massage Therapies. The only way for Kriszel to stay longer in the Czech Republic is to apply and employ Kriszel as a cleaning lady in Eden’s Garden Thai and Philippine Massage. After cleaning hours, Kriszel is taking the class Massage Therapies Training certificate, enabling Krisze to obtain the legal Massage Certificate to legally work as a Massage Therapies in Eden’s Garden Thai and Philippine Massage. Eden and Ondrej Pohan shoulder all the financial cost of the Massage Therapies Training, providing Kriszel a suitable accommodation and, at the same time, part-time job wages as a cleaning lady in Eden’s Garden Massage Salon. When Kriszel finished her Training at Massage Therapies, Mr&Mrs Pohan applied for Kriszel’s employment working permit, which the Labor Ministry in the Czech Republic granted the application of Kriszel.
Kriszel is currently working at Eden’s Garden Thai and Philippine Massage.
Pinoy Care Negotiated with the Former Employer of Kriszel
Eden, Ondrej Pohan, and their Legal crew spoke with Kriszel’s former Czech Employer to provide Kriszel with a proper Legal Exit Certificate despite the adverse employment contract pushing Krszel to run away from her previous employer. The Philippine Embassy of Prague helps the negotiation to smooth down the agreement. Kriszel was asked for a fee of 20,000 Kć by her former Czech Employer, and Kriszel paid a 1,000 Kć fine at the Czech Police Station for the case that her former employer filed against her for stealing the mobile phone they gave to Kriszel during her service with them.
Kriszel is now almost a year Employed as a Massage Therapies at Eden’s Garden Thai and Philippine Massage Therapies.
After all the sacrifices, Kriszel is now holding a 2 Year Long Term Visa, renewable every two years as long as Kriszel continues to employ herself at Eden’s Garden Thai and Philippine Massage in the Czech Republic. Kriszel cited that she is now very happy; she can freely explore every corner of the country when she wants. Kriszel is fearless, content, and always appreciates whatever blessing she receives from people. She always takes Mr&Mrs Pohan as her shining amour for helping her when she was in peril past fighting for her Legal Status. Now, Kriszel is happily working and loving her job with her friends and with comfortable accommodations and bonuses offered by Eden’s Garden Thai and Philippine Massage to Kriszel. Eden’s Garden Thai and Philippine Massage treats her tremendously, somewhat with respect and friendship.
Kriszel’s Inspiring Story
Pinoy Care is happy to deliver this type of positive story, and Pinoy Care is always here for all the Kababayans that need our help. Pinoy Care will continue to advocate the legal basis and to execute the right of everyone. To you, Kriszel, we are delighted that you never stop believing in yourself. Indeed, you are strong with determination. Indeed, you are an inspiration to the Filipino Community. We wish you more success and greatness for you and your family.
I like your strong story. You are fighter. Everyone can improve if open minded. There are people around who can help. Thanks to Pinoy Care. Only one non profit organization caring really about pinoy.