2,448 distressed OFWs left western Saudi in 2010

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 2,448 Filipinos in distress were repatriated from Saudi Arabia’s western region last year, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah said Sunday.

The Consulate General, in a press statement, said it coordinated with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immigration authorities, and other agencies in the repatriation process.

Funding for the repatriation came from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office/Overseas Workers Welfare Authority (1,539), the host government (844), employers (43), and workers’ personal expense (37).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also gave funds for some cases.

Consulate staff members also visited the Khandara Bridge in Jeddah, where overstaying nationals, including overseas Filipinos, often congregate.

Overstaying nationals usually congregate at the Khandara Bridge overpass to call the attention of local immigration authorities in the hope that their subsequent arrest from the said public place would lead to faster deportation proceedings.

Some temporarily camp out at the overpass, while others return either to their homes or their friends’ houses.

The consulate said it is working on the repatriation of some 40 Filipinos who recently seen at the Khandara overpass. “The allegations of neglect made by some quarters are baseless and gratuitous,” the Consulate-General said.

It added that local regulations and processes 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,” the consulate explained.

The Consulate-General also noted that not all 40 are OFWs. A number of them were hajj/umrah pilgrims who overstayed their visas.

The Saudi government announced on 23 September a 6-month royal amnesty for some overstaying foreign nationals.

The amnesty program is effective until March 23 this year.

The consulate, meanwhile, issued an advisory to the Filipino community on the deportation procedures for holders of expired umrah, hajj, or visitors’ visas.

Meanwhile, the consulate in Jeddah and the Philippine embassy in Riyadh advised Filipinos who have problems with their employers to first seek the assistance either of their respective offices or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, including filing of complaints with Saudi authorities if needed, instead of absconding and seeking work elsewhere.

“If OFWs seek work elsewhere without permission of Saudi authorities or otherwise become out of status, they would have difficulty securing an exit permit when they want to return to the Philippines,” the consulate added.  –abs-cbnNEWS.com