32 Pinoy workers arrested in Saudi–Migrante

Migrante-Middle East said the Philippine Labor Overseas Office in Al-Khobar has confirmed that the 32, including 26 women, were apprehended by the Saudi police in a continuing government crackdown on over-staying expatriates.

On Wednesday night, a police team raided the accommodations and quarters of illegal aliens at Tukbah, Al-Khobar, Migrante-Middle East said in a statement.

“We appeal to the Saudi government to respect the rights of undocumented migrants, including OFWs, in the conduct of its intensified campaign to hunt ‘illegal’ and undocumented migrants,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Migrante, an organization espousing migrant Filipinos’ rights, urged the Saudi government to consider granting a “general amnesty” that would cover illegal and undocumented migrant workers.

Monterona also called on the Philippine Embassy, under the leadership of charge d’affaires ad interim Ezzedin H. Tago, to make the same appeal to the Saudi government and properly represent those who arrested.

“We also call on the Aquino government, through the office of Vice President Jejomar Binay and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to lobby to the host government the legalization of all undocumented OFWs, giving them the option to be repatriated or to stay, and find jobs in the Kingdom,” Monterona added.

Migrante-Middle East noted that in October, the Saudi government granted a royal pardon that applied only to pilgrims and holders of visit visas that had already lapsed. The royal amnesty will lapse next March.

Migrante-Middle East said it hoped a similar pardon could be granted to the undocumented Filipinos. –DJ Yap, Philippine Daily Inquirer