25 OFWs without work permits arrive from Saudi

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-five distressed migrant Filipino workers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia arrived on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said.

The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrived via Etihad Airline flight EY-428 which arrived at 10:18 p.m. yesterday from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The OFWs availed of the government's repatriation program since they can no longer work in Saudi Arabia due to lack of working papers, OWWA said.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia earlier started its crackdown on illegal workers following the implementation of the 'Saudization' or 'nitaqat' policy which favors employment of its own citizens over migrant workers.