by Cristina
Content warning: this article contains mentions of abuse.
The diverse roles I fulfill as a mother, daughter, sister, and migrant domestic worker have undeniably molded my life. Managing these responsibilities from a distance, especially being separated from my daughter and siblings, has cultivated a profound sense of purpose and unshakeable resilience within me.
My name is Ma. Cristina Dela Cruz. I was born in February 1985 in Metro Manila and grew up in the province of Batangas. I studied Business Management at Metro Tagaytay College of Business and Arts. I am a dedicated mother for my only daughter, and I am a widow.
However, I made an incredibly difficult decision to leave my young daughter and family to give them a better life by going to work overseas. My friend recommended an agency in Manila who sent me to work in Doha. When my contract there finished, I went to work in Dubai. Dubai was a country that I had dreamed of, but it soon became a nightmare. When I arrived, my agency officer came to collect me and she took away my phone and documents. My employer did not follow the contract that I had signed with my agency. She told me straight away that she would only buy my personal belongings this month, and that the next month I would have to buy with my money. They did not give me a day off, no annual leave and no salary to travel home as stated in my contract. I was not allowed to talk to anyone. For six years and despite these conditions, I truly gave it my all to be a good nanny, housekeeper and tutor for three children, even through the pandemic.
My journey to the Middle East was marked by many challenges, including being trafficked, and being physically and verbally abused. The hardest thing that happened to me was when my mother passed away and I couldn't do anything to see her at the last moment. Unfortunately, my employer didn't give me any time to grieve, despite knowing about my loss. Even though my eyes were swollen from crying, I wore sunglasses throughout, yet there was no consideration for my emotional state.
My employer told me that they were going to the UK, and that I was going with them. She told me just to sign the visa but didn’t give me any more information. When I reached the UK, it was the same as in Dubai: I was not allowed to talk to anyone, could not take a rest day, could not go outside without my employer. They withheld my salary, which caused a lot of stress because my family back home were relying on me to support them over Christmas and New Year. One of the members of The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW) gave me a calling card when she saw how my employer treated me in a park. I kept that card, and when I had a chance, I called her. I saw my employers were keeping my passport and I felt this was the time I had to leave, so I got it, and left. I made the right decision when I escaped my previous employer.
Although I feel safer now because I have a community that supports me, I do worry from time to time because I am aware my current situation is temporary. I have ongoing counseling provided by VODW to help me recover from trauma. I have dedicated my time in advocacy and campaign for VODW, this keeps me busy and inspires me to advocate for the rights of migrant domestic workers.
When I met and became part of The Voice of Domestic Workers in 2023, I felt that I found my second family here in the UK. We treat each other like sisters, and as a family we all have the same experiences, so instantly I feel at home with each other. The comfort and support we provide each other has had a very big impact on me.
Now I'm one of the active members of The Voice of Domestic Workers and a leader of the Trade Union working group. As a leader of the trade union working group, I have embraced numerous opportunities for growth and development. I have participated in an online panel discussion on modern slavery, and was also interviewed by a journalist, an experience that humbled me and made me recognize the power of my voice. I earned the second spot in the Ms. Voice of Domestic Workers contest, and at our last General Assembly, I was very honoured to receive an award for my participation.
I’m also a trainee in the Future Voices programme, I am eager to share my own story and experiences as a domestic worker. I believe that by sharing my journey, I can raise awareness among other migrant domestic workers, empowering them to protect themselves, fight for their rights, and serve as a support network for one another. Through this programme, my goal is to improve my public speaking skills, increase my confidence, and have a positive impact on my community and society as a whole.
About the Author
Ma.Cristina was born in 1985 in Metro Manila, in the Philippines. She grew up with her grandparents, and is one of seven siblings. She worked abroad in Qatar and Dubai before coming to the UK. She is an active leader of the Trade Union Working Group in the Voice of Domestic Workers.
Ma.Cristina is part of the Future Voices programme, a unique leadership and training programme run in partnership between the Voice of Domestic Workers and Sounddelivery Media equipping a new network of migrant domestic workers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to share their stories, influence public opinion and advocate for change.
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