OFW groups unite for release of illegal Pinoys in Saudi

In an attempt to attend the numerous requests for assistance coming from undocumented and overstaying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), several groups of Filipino migrants join hands to work for the legalization and repatriation of about more than 2,000 undocumented and overstaying Filipino workers, mostly women, in Saudi Arabia.

The undocumented and overstaying OFWs ran away or absconded from their employers due to alleged abuses, maltreatment, and labor malpractices whose working visas had expired or cancelled.

“Concerned OFW groups and their leaders said that it is high time to act together in providing assistance to more than 2,000 undocumented and overstaying OFWs in the oil-rich Kingdom,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said if the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General are dilly-dallying in providing assistance to undocumented and overstaying OFWs, “several groups headed by the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (Brotherhood in the Middle East) and Migrante chapters in Saudi Arabia will be leading the formation of an alliance of various OFW groups that will work for the legalization, if not, repatriation of undocumented and overstaying OFWs.”

Monterona said: “There are already 15 OFW leaders who conveyed their intention to join us in this humanitarian collective effort.”

Monterona said he, other Migrante and OFW leaders such as Abdul Hannan Tago, president of the Riyadh-based Integrated Mindanao Economic Forum (IMEF) and executive director of the Southern Philippines Muslim Unity and Development Association (SPMUDA); Moner Yasin, chairman of Scout Royal Brotherhood (SRB); Amen Panolong, president of Ugnayan Association in Saudi; Bogs Bolor, chairman of Guardian Magic Group International (GMGI); and among other groups have set a series of meetings on how the alliance can provide assistance to the undocumented and illegal OFWs.

“First thing first, since there is no available listings of the names and other required information of the undocumented and overstaying OFWs, the OFW groups will create a data-base about them,” Monterona added.

Monterona said if a data base of undocumented OFWs had done, “we will present it to the Saudi government for their kind consideration and request them that our undocumented OFWs be legalized, if not, repatriated,” Monterona averred.

“Bro. Abdul Hannan Tago and other Muslim leaders, who can fluently speak Arabic as planned, will seek an audience to the concerned Saudi government agency to officially plead for the King’s granting of special amnesty for undocumented and overstaying OFWs in Saudi Arabia,” he added.

Last February 24, Saudi’s King Abdullah, custodian of the two Holy Mosques, issued pardon to all Saudis’ and expatriates who are in various prison cells all over Saudi Arabia on the occasion of his return to the oil-rich Kingdom after treatment abroad.

“We are hoping that most of the jailed OFWs in Saudi can avail themselves of the royal pardon; more than half of about 1,200 who were languishing in prison cells as they committed petty crimes with no private rights of liabilities,” Monterona said.

Saudi Arabia is the No.1 work destination of OFWs since 2003 to 2010 with estimated 1.2-M Filipino migrant workers working in the oil-rich Kingdom. –Daily Tribune