Filipinos rally behind maid facing death
Kuwait Times, Thursday, February 2, 2006
By Nancy Oteifa

KUWAIT: There are about 60,000 Filipinas working in Kuwait as maids. Some of them are lucky to work with kind Kuwaiti families while others face many problems with their sponsors. Sometimes these result in the maid fleeing the house; or at other times they can result in abuse, suicide or murder. The difficulties maids experience with their sponsors is a huge issue and the Philippine Embassy has an office dedicated to this issue. Problems can also occur if a sponsor catches a maid entertaining a boyfriend in the family home or involved in behaviour deemed inappropriate. Sometimes the issue is beyond the embassy's control and must be resolved in the Kuwaiti courts, though this does not stop the embassy getting involved. The courts are now tackling the issue of Filipina maid Marilou Ranario who was found guilty of murdering her employer with a kitchen knife.

Ranario was a teacher in the Philippines but due to economic hardships, came to Kuwait to find work. She has been sentenced to die, though her friends, family and relatives in Philippines are willing to pay blood money to the victim's family. "The embassy can't say anything about this case because it's still in the court and we don't have permission to talk," the Philippines ambassador to Kuwait Bayani Mangibin said.

In an exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, Hashim Majid Mohammed, General Manager of the Kuwait Union of Domestic Labour Offices said the court will reach a fair decision. "We have no idea why the maid killed her boss and it's not our job to investigate, but whatever happened, the court will be fair. If the maid had the 'right' kill her sponsor, then she should not be executed and should only spend time in jail. It also depends if the lawyer asks to transfer the case to the Court of Appeal. The case is confidential and several lawyers are working to prove her innocence," he said.

Many Filipina maids are scared to work in this country anymore, while others are protesting what is happening to their compatriot. "I will not tell my name because I don't want to be hanged by my boss, but I must say that what happened to Ranario is unfair and I am sure she was forced to kill the woman," a Filipino driver said. His friend, who also refused to give his name, said, "Kuwaitis treat us badly and they forget that we are human beings too and that we deserve treatment. Plus they don't pay us our wages regularly and when we ask for them, we are beaten to death".

"I have been here for more that two years with the same sponsor. He is a kind man but his wife is so mean to me that she pulls me by my hair and throws me on the ground," a Filipina named Sally said. "She thinks there is a relationship between me and her husband and this is why I decided to wear the hejab and leave them. I can feel what Ranario feels and I am sure she was 100 per cent aware when she killed her boss, because they are all the same and they deserve it."

"I think Ranario is innocent and she doesn't deserve to die. Maybe she should spend some time in jail. We all make mistakes but who knows what her boss did to her that lead her to such a drastic action," said Lili, a hairdresser. Another woman Jouiee said not all Kuwaiti sponsors treat their maids badly and sometimes maids do not treat the children in their care as they should, thus provoking the wrath of parents. Philippine Vice-President Noli De Castro is expected in Kuwait soon to mediate on behalf of the woman awaiting the death sentence.