25-year old Filipina OFW dies in Toronto hospital

25-year old Filipina OFW dies in Toronto hospital

Ontario newcomer had no OHIP Coverage

TORONTO – On Thursday, July 5, 25-yr old Elenita “Beng-Beng” Pailanan died suddenly at York Central Hospital (Major Mackenzie & Bathurst ).

Two days before she died, she was taken to Emergency where medical staff impressed upon her the necessity for an emergency operation to remove her gall bladder. Hospital administration also required a bond of $15,000 to be signed before they could proceed to operate. The employment agency that brought her to Canada signed for this. Ms. Pailanan underwent surgery but died shortly thereafter.

Elenita arrived in Toronto on April 17 on a working visa as a live-in caregiver. Upon her arrival in Canada, she was released from this working visa due to the common problem of an absent employer upon a LCP’s (Live-in Caregiver Program) arrival. Her application for a new working visa under a new employer was underway at the time of her death. Because she had been in the country for only less than 3 months she was not eligible for OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan). This was the main reason why she did not seek medical attention in the weeks prior to her death even though she was experiencing recurring fevers, head and back pain and later on, shortness of breath.

Ms. Pailanan’s next of kin are in Barangay Sinakway, Iloilo , Philippines . She has no relatives here in Canada. She was the main source of financial support for her parents and siblings. Her parents have requested that her body be immediately sent back to them.

At the time of her death, Ms. Pailanan was an active OWWA (Overseas Worker Welfare Administration) member. OWWA is the Philippine government agency charged with dispensing insurance, repatriation and burial funds for OFWs (Overseas Foreign Worker) paying the compulsory OWWA fees upon leaving the Philippines. OWWA has been plagued by scandal, government officials being accused of plundering funds while neglecting their duties to OFWs.

Siklab Ontario and Migrante International have come to the support of the Pailanan family. When Siklab tried to talk to the Philippine Consulate, an official claimed that the employment agency assumed responsibility for repatriating the body.

Siklab Ontario has currently set up the Friends of Elenita Pailanan Committee that coordinates with Migrante (progressive alliance of Filiipino migrant organizations overseas) in the Philippines and raises support for the Pailanan family in Iloilo.

Donations can be made to: Elenita Pailanan Fund, TD Canada Trust: Acct. No. 19682 004 0617 5238312. (Deposits will be accepted starting Monday, July 16, 2007.)

For more information or to schedule interviews please contact:
Sol Pajadura
General Inquiries
(647) 448-7030 (416) 995-3493
sol.pajadura@siklab.org
mail@siklab.org
Siklab Ontario – Workers Advocacy Group
Migrante International- Workers Advocacy Group