Pinoys feel pressure as rent in Saudi Arabia goes up

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos and other foreign workers in Saudi Arabia are feeling the pressure from skyrocketing rent rates, an online news site said on Sunday.

Arab News said the rent of apartments throughout Saudi Arabia has spiraled by 20 to 50 percent since the beginning of this year alone.

"We share a two bedroom apartment with two other families. We have divided two bedrooms and living room into separate living areas, and share the kitchen and restroom," said Joanna Lopez, a Filipino nurse.

Lopez said this is the only way by which she can save some money to send home and survive while in the Kingdom.

The report cited data from the Central Department of Statistics showing evidence of the difficulties tenants encounter in finding accommodation.

Amid the crisis, many families have begun sharing apartments to combat the rising costs of living.

Even Saudi national M. Al-Hindawi, who relocated from a village near Jeddah, said he was forced to live with his cousin's family in their apartment.

"When we knew we would be coming to Jeddah we located a place to live with the help of Internet advertisements and made arrangements with another Indian family living in the Rehab district," added Syed Khan, an expatriate worker.

The Arab News report said single families, living within the same building as apartment sharers, complain of problems such as disturbing noise levels to unsanitary living.

Other single families living in the same building are also upset with insufficient water. - GMANews.TV

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