LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Slave image

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Slave image

Dear Editor,

This is in regards to the subject of how caregivers here in Canada are being treated by Canadian or other nations employers. This report appeared in Philippine Reporter, January 16-31, 2005, entitled: Stop Treating Us Like Slaves.

Is it not ironic while asking these employers to stop treating caregivers or nannies like slaves while our current Philippine movies still portray slavery in this present time? Second, if you have watched Imelda Marcos’s international documentary and see how people and her servants serve her (i.e. kissing her hands, handing her Kleenex, her bag etc.), doesn’t this suggest that slavery is indeed an ordinary life situation of the rich and the poor in the Philippines? Is this not what every new nanny or caregiver who just came from the Philippines, have in their mind (or tend to do) once they land here? I must say that it is then important that this image whether in the movies or documentaries must be banned right away. These caregivers/nannies must be oriented THOROUGHLY AND FULLY even before they come here abroad, so that once they are here they already know that they should not act like slaves.

Lastly, I do hope you would give this an utmost consideration and hoping to hear from you.

I remain
Helen I. Dizon