Saudi Arabia employer 'pours boiling water' on Filipino woman
The 23-year-old woman was left with severe burns on her back and legs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Filipino woman was left with severe burns after her Saudi Arabia employer allegedly poured boiling water on her.
The 23-year-old household service worker, from Pikit, North Cotabato, suffered burns to her back and legs after being doused with the scorching liquid in the incident in Riyadh on 4 May, ABS-CBN News reported.
Photos of Fatma, which is not her real name, were posted by her cousin on Facebook on Saturday in an appeal for help.
According to ABS-CBN News, the mother of Fatma’s employer became angry after Fatma was slow to bring her coffee and then poured boiling water on her.
Fatma was not taken to hospital for several hours, but when there she was able to contact relatives in the area by giving a phone number to one of the nurses.
She was saved by her cousin during a further trip to the hospital.
Fatma has now been taken under the wing of the Philippine Embassy.
A representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development said they are providing her with medical treatment and other necessities.
According to a study by the Committee on Filipinos Overseas, 70 per cent of Filipino domestic workers in Saudi Arabia have reported physical and psychological abuse.
Tales of mistreatment are common - and not just among Filipinos.
Last year a young maid from Sri Lanka was beheaded in the country after being accused of killing her employer's four-month-old baby.
And Indonesia banned its nationals from working in Saudi Arabia when a maid was beheaded after confessing to killing her employer, claiming he abused her.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments