MikeLigalig.com

An overseas Filipino worker who got fired for his “un-Australian” toilet habits and later rehired is now planning to file a complaint against his employer.

Amadeo “Buddy” Bernabe claims that he’s a victim of harassment because paint thinner was poured over his toilet paper or "baby wipes" causing him injury.

Last January, Bernabe was fired because he used water instead of tissue paper to clean himself after bowel movements.

After the union backed his case, he was asked to return to work. His company, Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI) in Australia, had promised to sponsor his family and guarantee him a job in the next four years.

"Ang hiningi lang nila sa akin is, I will not use water anymore to wash my ass. Instead su-supply-an nila ako ng wet tissue or baby wipes," Bernabe said.

However, Bernabe, along with six other OFWs in the company, were fired a week later allegedly due to the company’s weakening business brought about by the global economic crisis.

Days before their contracts were set to end, Bernabe claimed he was a victim of harassment in the workplace. He said the toilet wipes he kept in his toolbox were doused with paint thinner.

"Yong dapat kung gawin, ginawa ko na. After that magpupunas na ako ng puwet ko, kumuha ako ng wipes. After pagkuha ko ng wipes deretsong punas siya, biglang nag-iinit. Parang nasusunog ‘yong balat ko sa puwet. ‘Nung naano ko, biglang umalingasaw yung amoy. It's thinner. Paint thinner. Which is napaka-delikado sa balat natin," Bernabe said.

His claim was confirmed by a Townsville doctor. He immediately filed a police report.

The Townsville police is set to investigate TEI to determine who was behind the incident. Bernabe is also set to file two other cases of assault against the company.

Now, Bernabe is asking the Philippine government to assist him.

“Walang nagtatanong. Walang tumatawag. Walang kumokontak, as in totally wala. Walang communication sa akin. Hihingi ko sana ng pansin kay [Executive] Secretary [Eduardo] Ermita na kung pwede eh pukpukin ‘yong dapat pukpukin na tao para umalalay sa akin," he said.

Report from Gigi Grande, ABS-CBN News, Townsville, Australia.

Ouch! paint thinner? ang hapdi talaga siguro noon! Sana he would receive the justice he truly deserves dahil kawawa naman ang ating kababayan na to.   

samot natong sakit ug ga lain pa iyang tiyan.

Grabeha gud, thinner. Sayon na kaayo mga companies ron mo-ingon na "sorry economic crisis lang" nya reternch dayon..tsk tsk. To be honest hinay kaayo molihok ang OWWA about this kind of issue.

dumot na jud na ilaha adto kang bernabe. ako pa si bernabe, mo file kog damage claims and then uli inig ka human. unsa pay akong dugayan, maalaot lang ko ug akong pamilya kung mamugos ko sa australia.

ngano ba pud sila masuko kung mu gamit kag tubig? Para sa ako no? mas maka ingon pa ko na mas clean pa ang mu gamit ug water than using tissues kay mas malimpyuhan man nato. Saonz! bitaw no? unsaon nalang kung nag lain pa gyud ang iyang tiyan then napaslot pa gydu sa tinner? Ouch! samot ka pait.

so what if water is used? magbu-ot?