2,448 abused OFWs in Saudi repatriated to Manila—DFA

A total of 2,448 abused and distressed Filipino nationals have been repatriated to Manila from Western Saudi Arabia in 2010, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Funding for the repatriation of 1,539 of them came from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office/Overseas Workers Welfare Authority, 844 by the host government, 43 were shouldered by the employer/sponsor and 37 at workers’ personal expense. The DFA said it also provided funds for those cases which are not covered by other sources.

The DFA said Philippine Consulate staff members also conduct regular visits at the Khandara Bridge in Jeddah where overstaying nationals of various nationalities in the city and the eastern regions, including Filipinos workers, often congregate themselves.

Overstaying nationals usually congregate at the so-called Khandara Bridge, which is an overpass and not a bridge traversing waters, to call the attention of local immigration authorities in the hope that their subsequent arrest from said public place would lead to expedite deportation proceedings.

Some temporarily camp out at said place, while others return to their respective homes or those of friends during mid-day or at night.

The consulate clarified that it was working on the repatriation of some 40 Filipinos recently seen at the Khandara overpass before it was reported in media. It noted that not all 40 are OFWs as reported on the news. A number of them were hajj/umrah pilgrims who overstayed their visas.

“Consulate staff members had by that time already checked upon their conditions and that the eligible Filipinos signed the consulate’s amnesty logbook,” it said in a report to the DFA.

“The allegations of neglect made by some quarters are baseless and gratuitous,” it added.

The consulate explained that to have an expedited repatriation of Filipinos in distress, there are local regulations and processes that need to be observed.

“With respect to those staying at the Khandara Bridge, it is the local immigration police that determine the number of people to be processed for deportation and when to begin said process,” it said.

To date, the number of Filipinos at Khandara has been reduced to almost half as most of them have gone to their respective homes, according to Consulate officials.

Saudi Arabia is the top destination of Filipino workers in the Middle East with a least 1 million mostly employed in the household service and construction sectors. –Michaela P. del Callar, Daily Tribune