The global financial crisis is affecting what has been reported to be the most secure jobs for Filipinos—domestic work.

With the deepening recession and unemployment in United Kingdom rising, Filipino domestic helpers (DHs)in the UK are also losing jobs.

“Apektado ako ngayon kasi ‘yong konti kong kita, nawala na ngayon. Natanggal nga sila sa trabaho wala na rin silang ipapasuweldo sa akin,” said Sally Ijan.

For the first time in almost 20 years as a domestic helper in the UK, Ijan said she can’t find work. The situation, she said, got her depressed but her strong faith is helping her get by.

“Noon I don't care. Kasi pag nawalan ka ng trabaho ang daming amo. Mamimili ka talaga. Pinaskil ko na ang pangalan ko sa mga supermarket, ina-advertise ko ang pangalan ko. Ngayon wala na talagang pumi-pick up. Makikipag-agawan ka, tatawag ka. Tapos wala na, nakuha na ng iba. Lalo na sa age ko, mahirap talaga maghanap ng trabaho,” she said.

For an agency recruiting domestic helpers in UK however, business is good. Many domestic helpers are applying for jobs because their expat employers have been laid off and left the country.

“A lot of domestic workers come to us for advise, and ask basically for the job because there is no job. On agency side, we have a lot of employers on our books that we can refer to them-country side and London,” said Jojo Senorin of the Reliance Services Agency.

“Everyday makikita mo talaga ang pagbagsak ng ekonomiya dito. Ang bangko, so talagang nakaka-nerbiyos,” Ijan added.

Cielo Cruz, another domestic helper, said that DHs that are not affected by the recession and still get good pay are the ones with very rich British employers, like her boss.

“Because they have huge houses, they can't live by themselves, without a housekeeper. It's like a necessity to them. It's like their basic need,” Cruz said.

UK banks recently received a bailout fund of 500 billion pounds and 40 million for UK charities. But for Ijan and for some domestic workers who are now jobless, these numbers don't mean anything.