Sick illegal Pinoys in Saudi seek help to go home –report

Some Filipinas illegally staying in Saudi Arabia have fallen sick and approached local community leaders for help in going home, a Saudi news site reported Wednesday.

But Arab News cited a source who said the community leaders told the women they may have to go to their employers to request an exit visa.

While the report did not specify how many women had sought help, it noted many of them are with children and were referred to the Philippine Embassy for assistance.

Arab News quoted its source as saying the women who wanted to go home were told they have to pay penalties, such as SR500 for every year that their iqamas were expired.

It added the illegal residents had sought help from the embassy last year, when an amnesty period was still in effect for residents to rectify their status or go home.

But at the time, they did not go back after receiving their passports. They should have returned to the embassy to undergo the repatriation process.

“They probably don’t want to be reprimanded by the embassy for not having pushed through with their repatriation last year. That’s why they approach Filipino community leaders for help instead of embassy officials,” the source said.

On the other hand, the report said some of the Filipinas managed to legalize their status and found jobs at restaurants and other establishments, while others worked as household service workers.

Arab News cited an earlier statement of the Philippine Embassy calling on the women to report or get in touch with Yusoph Khalil for assistance in going home. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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