Her employer canceled her May 5 final-exit visa after it came to light that she filed a complaint with the Philippine Labor Office in Riyadh (POLO-Riyadh) about having her iqama renewal fee deducted.

The cost of iqama renewal can be well over a month's worth of salary for lesser-skilled workers.

“I felt totally stranded,” she said. “I did not know what to do. My company was also angry with me so I did not know whom to turn to.”

After receiving an e-mail from the woman, Arab News referred her case to Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor. She then received a call from Labor Attache Rustico Dela Fuente saying that if she waives her complaint against her employer she would be allowed to leave.

Under Saudi labor law employers are supposed to cover the expense of iqama renewal.

However, an employer can claim compensation if a worker resigns before the expiration of the iqama, which is valid for either one or two years from the issuing date.

The woman, who did not want her name published, was given SR4,200 as the end-of-service payment for four years and nine months of employment. The employer's name is being withheld for legal reasons.

The woman, a mother of four from Pasay City in Metro Manila, agreed to drop her complaint and sign a form saying she received all her dues.

An officer at the Philippines Embassy suggested she pursue her case by confronting her Philippines-based labor recruiter, identified as Gulf Horizon International.

She thanked embassy officials for their diligence in securing her departure.