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Group: 30 undocumented OFWs nabbed in Saudi

Dennis Carcamo - The Philippine Star

March 17, 2015 | 10:33am

MANILA, Philippines - At least 30 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were rounded up by Saudi authorities as the host government intensified the crackdown on illegal migrants, a migrant workers' rights group said on Tuesday.

Migrante-Middle East said Saudi authorities heightened its crackdown on undocumented migrants last week, netting around 900 illegal expatriates, including 20 women.

John Monterona, the group's regional coordinator, said that initial reports the group received from its affiliates monitored at least 30 OFWs apprehended during the crackdown.

In Riyadh, Saudi’s capital, there were 900 illegal expatriates including 20 women who were arrested during the first five days of the crackdown, local news reports said.

In Batha, Sulay, and Industrial Area, composite teams from Labor and Commerce ministries and the Riyadh Municipality were visible and very active conducting check points and at times searching houses where there are suspected illegal migrants.

Late last month, Saudi’s Ministry of Interior issued a stern warning saying that it will intensify the crackdown on illegal expatriates as they have been tagged as the main reason why crime rates escalated in the kingdom.

"The common notion that illegal migrants were the very reason why crime rate escalates in the Kingdom is fairly objectionable. Most of the so called illegal migrants were actually victim of abuses, maltreatment and labor rights violations who were forced to abscond," Monterona said.

He said that those nabbed were mostly Asian migrant workers without resident permits, those working in jobs not matching with their work permit, and others working with other employers who were not their sponsors.

He has appealed to the Saudi government not to treat the undocumented migrants as mere criminals.

"The undocumented migrants certainly didn’t like their situation being violators of the host government immigration and labor policies, but there are factors that need to look at such as the treatment and respect on the rights of expatriate workers by their employers," Monterona said.

He called on the Philippine government to provide assistance and follow up the immediate deportation of undocumented OFWs who are now languishing in Saudi jails.

"We would like to remind the Aquino government that there are 200 plus distressed women OFWs in Bahay Kalinga in Riyadh, while about 80 male OFWs in a shelter rented by the Philippine embassy most of them have been there for at least three months to a year," Monterona said.