Distraught parents seek repatriation for Riyadh-detained OFWs



The parents of 11 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were allegedly being detained by their employer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were distraught over their children's situation, GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" reported on Friday.
“Nakakulong po sila. Walang pumapasok na hangin po sa kanila. Kahit po ‘yung pinto nila, wala pong makalapit na tao du’n sa pinto nila,” said parent Gloria Garcia.
Perlita Serraon, the mother of two of the distressed OFWs, said she had become anxious over the seeming absence of a repatriation effort. “Dalawang anak ko, nandu’n silang dalawa. Masakit ho. Mag-iisang linggo na ako dito, wala rin pong linaw. Gusto ko na po silang umuwi,” said another mother, Perlita Serraon.
A father, Romeo Ubaldo, worried that some of the detained OFWs were starting to get sick after being locked inside a room for a week. “Hirap na hirap na sila du'n. Saka stressed na rin kami dito e. Sana makalabas na sila, dalhin na sila sa embassy,” hoped Ubaldo.

The OFWs had posted a video online, in which they claimed they were being held against their will by their employer.
They added that their employer had not only failed to honor their contracts, but had also confiscated their documents, including their iqama or work permits.
The OFWs said they feared for their safety and that they wanted to be repatriated.
Repatriation
The Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) was meanwhile aware of the situation and had instructed the concerned recruitment agencies in the Philippines and Riyadh to act on the OFWs' request to be repatriated.
“Basta umuwi na ‘yung gustong umuwi at may vallid reason na ma-repatriate sila. They have to be repatriated back to the Philippines," said POEA administrator Bernardo Olalia.
The POEA also offered to assist the OFWs who wished to file complaints over their alleged abuse. “Kung mayroong violation nu’ng recruitment rules natin, and because of these recruitment violation that is an administrative sanction that will be imposed, dito sila sa POEA magsampa ng kaso,” Olalia added.
Meanwhile, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Philippine welfare officer in Riyadh had contacted the employer involved, and a meeting was set for the coming week during which the OFWs' repatriation would be discussed. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News

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