PHL Embassy presses Saudi employer to release 88 Pinoy workers


Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia are working to persuade an employer there to release some 88 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have sought repatriation.

 
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said it continues to engage in dialogue and extend assistance to the affected workers.
 
"Strong representations are also being made with high officials of the Office of the Governor of Riyadh and the Saudi Ministry of Labor for the implementation of a decision compelling Al Swayeh to facilitate the repatriation of the affected workers," the Philippine embassy said in a news releaseposted on its website on Thursday.
 
The 88 OFWs are working at Al-Swayeh in Riyadh. They are now temporarily staying at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office's facility in Riyadh.
 
Delay in repatriation
 
During a dialogue between POLO-Riyadh and the workers, Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano said the delay in the repatriation is due to Al Swayeh’s continued failure to facilitate the issuance of their exit visas.
 
Valenciano added the Filipino workers have faithfully completed their contracts and did not abandon their work.
 
He assured them that once their exit visas are secured, the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA-Manila) will provide for the plane tickets home.
 
Exit visas
 
Last July 30 and Aug. 1, POLO-Riyadh officials met with Al Swayeh management representatives to press for the early release of the 88 OFWs' exit visas.
 
They also met with Abdulaziz Mohammad, assistant of Deputy Minister of Labor Hamad al Hodaithi, to request for the payment of the end-of-service benefits of 28 workers who have not received this benefit.
 
They also urged Al Swayeh to facilitate the issuance of the exit visas.
 
Al Swayeh was required by the Saudi government to pay the immigration penalties for its failure to renew the residence permits (iqama) of its workers.
 
In the meantime, the 88 OFWs receive meal assistance daily.
 
On Friday, a medical and dental mission by Filipino medical volunteers will be conducted to help the workers.
 
So far, 38 of the workers had undergone medical check-up and were provided the prescribed medicines. - VVP, GMA News

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