OFW runaways in Saudi warned: No more back-door exit via Jeddah
By DINAN ARANA
ABS-CBN Middle East Bureau
DAMMAM – Filipinos in Saudi Arabia who want to be repatriated to the Philippines via the so-called "back-door exit" through Jeddah should think again, according to the Philippine embassy in Riyadh.
Philippine Ambassador Antonio Villamor has warned Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who abscond from their employers and then travel to Jeddah by claiming to be Umrah visa holders, that this is neither the right nor easy way to be repatriated.
"The Saudi immigration and deportation is now fully aware of this practice, and they are now even stricter in checking the full identities of those seeking deportation," Villamor told the ABS-CBN’s Balitang Middle East.
According to arab.net, "an Umrah visa is issued to any Muslim who wishes to visit and pray in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah....An Umrah visa is valid for a week and only for travel to Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah and on the roads linking them."
It also says that, "if the applicant is not from a Muslim country or does not have a Muslim name, he will be asked to provide an official document listing Islam as his religion. Converts must provide documentary evidence of their conversion from a mosque."
The ambassador said that he has received reports that many misinformed expatriates, including Filipino runaways, change their names and religion to ensure facilitation of their repatriation as Umrah visa holders at the expense of the Saudi government.
As a result, the Saudi immigration authorities have imposed stricter screening of Filipinos. Filipinos are not allowed to leave the Kingdom until proof of identity is submitted. This delays processing of their deportation.
"We have a group of Filipinos, three months ago, who stayed under the bridge in Jeddah. We sought help with the immigration and deportation authorities for them to be repatriated. However, the authorities sent them back to Alkhobar, Riyadh, Al-Qassim or to the places where they come from," Villamor said.
The ambassador said these Filipinos spent a fortune travelling to Jeddah. They paid unscrupulous individuals who promised them an easy way home only to find themselves back where they came from.
Saudi immigration and deportation authorities already know that some people have made a business out of this activity, according to Villamor.
"The back-door exit is no longer true, and the Philippine Embassy is not supporting this act because this is not in the best interest of our Filipino workers," Villamor said.
The embassy again reiterated to all OFWs that as guest workers in the Kingdom, they should strictly follow and respect the local laws and regulations being enforced by Saudi authorities.
In its advisory sent to the Filipino community organizations, the embassy said that OFWs, whose assistance will be sought by our "kababayans" who want to be repatriated, are advised not to encourage this activity.
Instead, they may call or refer the matter to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, or the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), for appropriate action.
ABS-CBN Middle East Bureau
DAMMAM – Filipinos in Saudi Arabia who want to be repatriated to the Philippines via the so-called "back-door exit" through Jeddah should think again, according to the Philippine embassy in Riyadh.
Philippine Ambassador Antonio Villamor has warned Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who abscond from their employers and then travel to Jeddah by claiming to be Umrah visa holders, that this is neither the right nor easy way to be repatriated.
"The Saudi immigration and deportation is now fully aware of this practice, and they are now even stricter in checking the full identities of those seeking deportation," Villamor told the ABS-CBN’s Balitang Middle East.
According to arab.net, "an Umrah visa is issued to any Muslim who wishes to visit and pray in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah....An Umrah visa is valid for a week and only for travel to Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah and on the roads linking them."
It also says that, "if the applicant is not from a Muslim country or does not have a Muslim name, he will be asked to provide an official document listing Islam as his religion. Converts must provide documentary evidence of their conversion from a mosque."
The ambassador said that he has received reports that many misinformed expatriates, including Filipino runaways, change their names and religion to ensure facilitation of their repatriation as Umrah visa holders at the expense of the Saudi government.
As a result, the Saudi immigration authorities have imposed stricter screening of Filipinos. Filipinos are not allowed to leave the Kingdom until proof of identity is submitted. This delays processing of their deportation.
"We have a group of Filipinos, three months ago, who stayed under the bridge in Jeddah. We sought help with the immigration and deportation authorities for them to be repatriated. However, the authorities sent them back to Alkhobar, Riyadh, Al-Qassim or to the places where they come from," Villamor said.
The ambassador said these Filipinos spent a fortune travelling to Jeddah. They paid unscrupulous individuals who promised them an easy way home only to find themselves back where they came from.
Saudi immigration and deportation authorities already know that some people have made a business out of this activity, according to Villamor.
"The back-door exit is no longer true, and the Philippine Embassy is not supporting this act because this is not in the best interest of our Filipino workers," Villamor said.
The embassy again reiterated to all OFWs that as guest workers in the Kingdom, they should strictly follow and respect the local laws and regulations being enforced by Saudi authorities.
In its advisory sent to the Filipino community organizations, the embassy said that OFWs, whose assistance will be sought by our "kababayans" who want to be repatriated, are advised not to encourage this activity.
Instead, they may call or refer the matter to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, or the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), for appropriate action.
Comments