RIYADH, 5 August 2003 — Sixty-three Filipino trailer drivers have been repatriated last month.
The drivers were among the 96 employees of Al Bassami International Transport Co. in Riyadh who filed their complaint in April at the Saudi Labor Office against Bassami for illegal termination and contract substitution.
This was learned from Labor Attaché Jainal Rasul, Jr., head of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, who extended legal as well as humanitarian assistance to the workers in the form of food provisions while their cases were being heard at the Saudi Primary Commission.
The workers who agreed to be repatriated got a total amount of SR127,203 representing their unpaid salaries and other benefits based on the amicable settlement reached at the commission last month.
Rasul also informed Arab News that the remaining 33 OFWs who opted to return to work were given their unpaid salaries.
“Their services were also considered as continuous and uninterrupted despite their work stoppage. These workers who returned to work were restituted in the total amount of SR69,483 representing their back wages,” the labor attaché added.
The complaint arose when the management of Al Bassami International Transport Co. in Riyadh allegedly tried to persuade the Filipino trailer drivers to sign a new contract stipulating lower benefits and trip allowances. When the Filipino drivers refused to sign, they were reportedly instructed to surrender the keys to the vehicles that they were driving.
Based on the complaints of the OFWs, they were accordingly threatened by the management with engaging in strike, an act considered unlawful under local regulations. Had it not been for their timely filing of complaint at the Saudi Labor Office, the workers would have been in deep trouble.
Rasul acknowledged the negotiation skills and rigorous efforts exerted by POLO interpreters and case officers Salahuddin Unda, Abdurrahman Joe and Samarodin Ameril who handled the workers’ complaint.
He also thanked some community leaders in Riyadh and Jeddah who assisted in providing food and medicines to the workers during the time they stopped working.
POLO Riyadh also reported the settlement last month of the complaints filed by 69 OFWs against their employer, Al Nafoura Restaurants and Sweets in Riyadh.
The said the workers earlier sought the assistance of POLO concerning their claim for overtime pay as well as for work rendered during holidays and rest days. They also complained of poor housing accommodation.
In an amicable settlement reached by the parties at the Saudi Labor Office, Case Officer Salahuddin Unda said that the respondent employer agreed to compensate the workers, while the workers also agreed to continue with their work.
The respondent employer also made an undertaking to release the increments awarded to the workers as provided for in their employment contracts.