Some Pinoys detained, handcuffed in Saudi before boarding plane bound for PHL
Some undocumented Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia who arrived in the Philippines Sunday evening claimed they were detained and handcuffed in the kingdom until they boarded their flight going home, according to a television report.
According to Katrina Son's report on GMA News' Unang Balita, the undocumented Filipino workers were detained by the Saudi Arabia government for four days and were also handcuffed until they boarded their plane going home.
At least 27 overseas Filipino workers arrived in the Philippines at around 11:30 p.m. Sunday after being repatriated from Saudi Arabia amid the deadline against illegal foreign workers in the country to correct their status or go home, the report said.
For his part, when asked about Filipinos being handcuffed, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez said Monday he is unaware of the Saudi government's "specific procedure" for violators of labor laws.
"Mayroong patakaran ang Saudi government tungkol sa mga violators ng kanilang immigration at labor laws, so ngayon, hindi ko alam anong specific procedures, especially ang pagposas, etc. Pero bawat bansa, mayroon silang procedures para dito," he said in a phone-patch interview on GMA News TV's News To Go.
Safe from crackdown
Meanwhile, Hernandez said he has yet to receive a report if the crackdown of Saudi authorities on illegal foreign workers who failed to correct their status as well as those who failed to return home have already started.
"Wala pa akong natatanggap na report galing sa ating embahada sa Riyadh at sa ating konsulado sa Jeddah kung nag-umpisa na ang crackdown. Pero dapat po, as of today, 'yung grace period ay natapos na," he said.
Hernandez, however, noted that the more than 1,500 OFWs who are still waiting for their immigration papers to be processed are "safe" from the crackdown.
"'Yung mga kababayan na nag-file na ng kanilang repatriation, ang sabi po ng ating embahada ay sila naman po ay safe, ligtas na mula sa crackdown kasi ginawa na nila ang kanilang pagpapadala ng papers sa Saudi government," he said.
A crackdown on illegal workers looms due to the “Saudization” policy or nitaqat, which encourages the employment of Saudi nationals in private firms.
King Abdullah initially ordered a three-month reprieve to let illegal migrant workers correct their immigration or labor status in the Kingdom.
He eventually extended the deadline to November 3, upon the request of Saudi companies and employers, who reportedly cited the backlog in the processing of documents in certain offices.
Hernandez said temporary shelters in Riyadh and Jedah have been set up to accommodate Filipinos waiting to be repatriated.
"Hopefully, maibigay ang lahat ng clearances sa 1500-plus in time para makauwi kaagad," he added.
Vice President Jejomar Binay earlier expressed optimism that the November 3 deadline for illegal foreign workers in Saudi Arabia to correct their status (or go home) will be extended.
However, Binay said in case the deadline stays, the government will place all undocumented Filipino workers in one area, where they will have to wait to be repatriated.
"Hindi na sila pagagalawin doon. Ilalagay na lang sila sa isang lugar at maghihintay na ma-repatriate," he said.
Last week, Binay, who is also presidential adviser on OFW concerns, wrote Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to ask for another extension of the Nov. 3 deadline. —Amanda Fernandez/KG, GMA News
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