186 OFWs who used to live under a bridge in Jeddah arrive after being repatriated by OWWA

At least 186 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including children who used to live under a bridge in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, arrived in Manila early yesterday morning after being repatriated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OWWA Chief Carmelita Dimzon said the OFWs arrived from Jeddah at midnight (Wednesday, June 8) via Etihad air flight EY128 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They were earlier processed for deportation at Hajj Terminal in Jeddah.

Some of the workers arrived with their children. A total of 56 children arrived with the OFWs, the OWWA chief said.

Dimzon added those who had no means to go home to their respective provinces were given temporary lodging at the OWWA Halfway House in Pasay City. OFWs who are OWWA members were given transportation assistance so they could proceed to their provinces.

The OWWA paid for both plane fares and penalties incurred by the OFWs for breach of immigration rules. The plane tickets of the children, on the other hand, were paid by their respective parents.

Many of the workers left their work places in various parts of Saudi Arabia due to various problems and difficulties, she said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Embassy in Riyadh Charge d’Affaires Ezzedin Tago met with Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Makkah Al-Mukarramah Branch Director General Mohammad Ahmad Al-Taib at the Ministry headquarters regarding the issue of overstayers. Ambassador-designate Tago was accompanied by Labor Attaché Vicente Cabe.

Dimzon said OWWA has been coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) and the Department of Foreign Affairs in accelerating the repatriation of distressed Filipinos in large batches consonant with instructions of President Aquino.

The arrivals coincided with the celebration of Migrant Workers Day and the First National Congress of OFWs and their Families yesterday, she said. –Conrado Ching, Daily Tribune