I LOVE toilet paper I'm afraid.
Lots and lots of it.
Dear Readers,
Our gorgeous Australian based Filipina reporter Gigi Grande has just filed this report from down under.
You might remember Gigi was the reporter who came to my farm in Australia for the first interview I gave at the beginning of the saga.
Classic Gigi Grande!!!
I loved her because she so thoughtfully brought me a basket of organic fruits and breads which I devoured. Her male assistant was also very sweet.
I was in shock because she was so genuine and sensitive to my feelings. Not at all exploitative. I'll never forget it.
The fruit was incredible and so was Gigi.
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OFW in toilet habit mess in Australia faces new problem
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.
What do you think readers?
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