Families of OFWs stranded in Saudi seek P-Noy's help

MANILA, Philippines - The families of some Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia sought yesterday the help of President Aquino in facilitating their speedy return to the country.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño brought the families of the distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who have been unemployed for nearly a year now and have been forced to stay at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) shelter, to the House of Representatives to air their appeal.

The OFWs were out of work after they refused to renew their contracts with the respective employers due to various labor violations, alleged maltreatment and abuse.

“They (OFWs) just want to get home, they don’t care anymore if they would not get anything from the company,” said May Balmeo, whose father Juanito was a truck driver in the oil-rich kingdom for nine years.

Balmeo said her father has been calling her up, telling her of his plight.

She said he asked her to seek the intervention of Malacañang.

Garry Martinez, Migrante International national chairman, said Juanito was insulin-dependent and needed regular medical attention.

Evelyn Banez, the wife of an OFW, said the stranded workers have been relying on donations from non-government organizations and individuals.

Banez said OWWA promised to shoulder the plane tickets of the stranded OFWs, but they could not get exit visas because certain documents should be issued by their employers.

The stranded workers were former employees of Al Swayeh company, Al-Zahran, Al-Naseeb establishment, Al Sabillah and Al Phat, Casiño said.

They were all deployed to Saudi by active recruitment agencies licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employees Administration, namely, Saveway International Manpower, Osims Oriental Skills International Manpower, RPF Business Management & Consultancy Inc, Irsal Employment Services Inc., GBMLT Manpower Services Inc., Nawras Manpower Services Inc. (formerly Nawras Manpower Services), Al Assal Manpower Inc., Matawi, 4 Brothers, and other still unidentified agencies, he said.

Casiño said the OFWs were all victims of illegal recruitment and contract violations, including overcharging of placement fees, contract substitution, collection of fees without official receipts, collection of excessive fees, loans with high interest rates, poor working accommodations, illegal salary deductions, non-issuance of IQAMA (working permit), non-payment of salaries in 10 months to over one year, no overtime pay, underpayment of salaries and non-renewal of expired contracts, residence permits and medical insurances.

Connie Bragas-Regalado of the Migrante sectoral party said Malacañang should order the embassy officials to work for the issuance of exit visas for the OFWs.

She said the exit visa is issued by the Saudi government after getting clearance from the employer.

But since the OFWs have filed cases against their employers because of various labor violations, the employers retaliated by not issuing clearances.