19 OFWs in Saudi waiting to be repatriated

Nineteen overseas Filipino workers in Al-Jouf province in Saudi Arabia are waiting to be repatriated to the Philippines, a Saudi-based news site reported Friday. Some of 19 are victims of maltreatment, physical abuse and intimidation by their Saudi employers, according to a report on Arab News. Philippine Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano was quoted in the Arab News report as saying the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh is ready to repatriate the 19 OFWs at POLO’s expense once their papers are cleared and the OFWs get their exit visas. Valenciano said the POLO had also provided assistance to the OFWs, including payment of rent for the temporary shelter in which they are staying. He added that they have sent a demand letter to the 19 OFWs' recruitment agency in the Philippines to provide financial assistance to them while they wait for the final verdict in their case. For its part, the Southern Philippines Muslim and Non-Muslim Unity and Development Association (SPMUDA), a Filipino group in the Kingdom headed by Camad Ali, also asked President Benigno Aquino III to help the workers. Valenciano said Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago had also visited Al-Jouf province to meet with its governor, and discussed the OFWs' plight. But he said that while while the governor expressed his willingness to help them, he said he had to respect the court proceedings that are in progress. OFWs in distress In the same report, Norberto Mariposque, the leader of the OFWs, said his main problem concerned non-issuance of iqama and driving license, and delays in overtime payment. “I was asked to work without proper papers for the entire duration of my two-year contact. We were also subjected to maltreatment, threats and physical abuses,” Mariposque was quoted in the report. Arab News said the 19 OFWs decided to leave the company when two of their co-workers were jailed on petty charges then threatened by the company after their release. The workers filed the case before the labor office in Al-Jouf on Feb. 14, 2012, when they felt insecure, and went to the Saudi Passport Department (Jiwazat) to surrender to the authorities. However, they were not detained by the Jiwazat officials as there was no case against them. On the other hand, the company cut off water and electric supply to the OFWs’ accommodation. The OFWs then moved to a rented house of some fellow OFWs in the region. Mariposque said they are concerned over the "prolonged delay" at the Saudi labor office, as they have problems getting their exit visas. He said the Passport Department had advised them to submit a clemency petition before the Saudi higher authority or concerned prince for getting their exit visas on humanitarian grounds or to expedite their case. So far, there have been three court hearings on the case, while the next session has been scheduled for Aug. 1, Arab News reported. The sponsor has also filed a counter case against the OFWs for leaving their work without proper coordination. — RSJ, GMA News

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