DOLE: 4 Pinoys hurt as mortar shelling resumes in Saudi-Yemen border

Four Filipinos were reported injured as rebel mortar shelling at the Saudi-Yemen border resumed, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Monday.

The DOLE also said Philippine labor officials are mapping out safety measures for overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia who could be affected by the shelling.

Citing a report by labor attache Jainal Rasul, DOLE secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the cross-border shelling had hit military establishments and some residential areas.

"One of the mortar shells has apparently hit the staff accommodation of a Hyatt Hotel which, fortunately, only slightly injured four Filipinos who are now safe,” she said in a statement.

For its part, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration is arranging to meet with licensed Philippine recruitment agencies deploying workers to Najran City to map out added safety measures.

Rasul had requested that the POEA meet with the recruitment firms deploying OFWs to Najran "so they can be updated and they can coordinate their action with their foreign counterparts to ensure the safety of their workers there,” Baldoz said.

Some business establishments closed

In his report, Rasul said he sent a three-member Philippine Overseas Labor Office team to Najran City after learning that cross-border hostilities have resumed.

The team reported some business establishments very near the border have closed shop, and many Filipinos have sought the help of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah for possible relocation to safer places.

Rasul said there are some 2,000 OFWs in Najran, which is 900 kilometers south of Jeddah, or a 12-hour travel by land.

He said more than half of Filipinos there are working in hospitals.

Citing data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Najran, he said there are 711 OFWs working as staff in seven MOH hospitals. Another 306 work as nurses and other medical staff at the Armed Forces Hospital.

"Other nurses are working in private hospitals and clinics across the city. The rest of our OFWs are in construction, services, maintenance, and other sectors,” Rasul said.

He also said nine government-owned establishments, including the Saudi Customs and Saudi Electricity Co., are employing OFWs in Najran, while 74 private business establishments have Filipinos working for them. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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