Images of scalded Filipino maid in Riyadh go viral

Images of a young female OFW with severe burns to her back after allegedly having boiling water poured on her by her employer has shocked the Filipino community in the Kingdom.
Her case was brought to the attention of both the Philippine Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with a request to report the incident to police authorities and the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
One of her relatives, who introduced himself as “Talib,” told Arab News that the victim arrived in Riyadh only two months ago to work as a domestic helper, but apparently faced communication problems with her employer since she can neither understand Arabic nor English.
He said her employer began beating her and eventually attacked her with boiling water.
Talib said the victim was not immediately brought to a clinic by her employer. It was at the clinic where she managed to contact her relatives.
A message from the victim’s cousin in Riyadh provided details into the incident in Tagalog on Facebook.
“This is my cousin, who works as domestic helper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her female Saudi employer poured boiling water on her. She has only been in Riyadh for two months. She was beaten up within five days of her arrival by her male employer and was sometimes deprived of food.”
“She was only taken to the hospital six hours after boiling water was poured on her. She was then taken home to continue working despite her extensive injuries,” she said.
The same images were posted on social media network on Saturday.
Within a few minutes, the news had gone viral on social media sites with sympathetic comments.
“Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah would not allow this to happen in his country,” said an OFW based in the US.
She is now under the embassy’s custody, according to officials.
“We will request immediate police and medical intervention,” said an embassy official.