Diplomat denies maid's allegation of slavery

A former Philippine ambassador to the United Nations denied claims of slavery, human trafficking and racketeering made against him by his former maid.

Lauro Baja, 71, said on local television he was ‘shocked’ and ‘surprised’ by the claims by his former Filipina maid in New York who is suing him and his family in U.S. courts. ‘It was unexpected because her recruitment and going to New York was done according to all the rules and regulations in accordance to US law and visa policy,’ said the retired diplomat.

Baja, who was Manila’s envoy at the UN from 2003 to 2006, said he thought the maid was seeking permanent residency in the US and was using the civil suit as an ‘excuse’ to stay.

Marichu Baoanan, who was recruited by Baja’s wife, started working for the family in January 2006, but left after three months. In the suit she claimed she worked 18-hour days, was not given winter clothes and forced to sleep in the basement with only a sheet.

The maid, a registered nurse in the Philippines, is suing Mr. Baja, his wife Norma, for slavery, forced labour, trafficking, racketeering and 11 other charges in a civil case filed in New York on June 24.

Also named in her civil suit is Baja’s daughter, Maria Elizabeth Facundo, and the Baja-owned travel agency Labaire International Travel.

Baoanan has accused the Baja family of only paying her $100 for three months’ work and another $100 for being a nanny to Facundo’s son.

‘I served the Bajas for three months. I cooked, I took care of the child, cleaned their really big house, did the laundry, ironed and did other tasks as a domestic worker. In return, they paid me with curses, insults, disrespect and $100 dollars,’ she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

She said the Bajas lied to her and tricked her into paying $5,500 to go to the U.S. "I was under the impression they would help me find work as a nurse, instead I was forced to work as a servant for three months under abusive conditions," she said.

Baja said "the moment she left my employ I immediately reported her to US immigration authorities.