15 undocumented OFWs in Saudi arrested in crackdown – Migrant group


Tags: Saudi Arabia
At least 15 undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers have been arrested by authorities on the sixth day of the crackdown on illegal migrant workers in Saudi according to Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East and North Africa.

“As of passed 1 a.m. today we have received calls seeking assistance in behalf of at least 15 OFWs who were nabbed since Saudi authorities resumed the crackdown on November 4,” A news release quoted MENA coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Monterona also said that nine of these are from Riyadh while the other six were nabbed in Jeddah.

“The nine undocumented OFWs were nabbed along the 376 illegal migrants that were apprehended by Saudi authorities during separate raids in Manfouha and Haraj districts on November 5 and 6, respectively,” he said.

Monterona added they are in the process of properly documenting the 15 who were reportedly arrested while urging the Philippine posts in Saudi to conduct immediate jail visitations.

But the Department of Foreign Affairs said they have to verify the information Monterona stated.

“So far we have not received such information [about the arrests of undocumented OFWs],” DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez told GMA News Online via text on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier, the DFA said the 1,500 undocumented OFWs left in Saudi will be allowed to return home without being fined or penalized.

These Filipinos, Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez explained, “have already completed the prescribed repatriation procedure "before the grace period lapsed" and are just waiting for exit visas.”

A total of 4,420 undocumented OFWs have been successfully repatriated since the crackdown was initiated and then halted early this year.

The crackdown operations against undocumented workers began on March 28 due to the "Saudization" policy (nitaqat) encouraging the employment of Saudi nationals in private firms.

But King Abdullah ordered a three-month delay to the crackdown on April 6.

The reprieve ended on July 4 but was again extended to November 3 to give foreigners in the kingdom a chance to sort out their papers.

Vice President Jejomar Binay who is presidential adviser on OFW concerns sought for an extension but it was not granted by the kingdom.

Those caught will be penalized and must pay from 1,000 to 50,000 Saudi riyals (P11,002-P550,105) depending on the violation.

There are over 1.5 million Overseas Filipinos located in Saudi, based on the 2011 stock estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. — Andrei Medina/VC, GMA News

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