Several filipino women who are illegally residing in the Kingdom have approached community leaders for help to go home to the Philippines after falling ill, according to a source.
“Community leaders told them that procedures for going home are no longer the same as during the amnesty period and that it’s back to the old procedure of going back to the employer to request an exit visa,” he told Arab News.
He said that “their cases will have to be resolved through regular procedures in accordance with existing rules and regulations.”
He also said that they also have to pay penalties, such as SR500 for every year that their iqamas were expired. He added that these Filipino women, many of them with children, are eventually referred to the Philippine Embassy for assistance.
The source said the illegal residents approached the embassy during the amnesty period last year for help in going home but that they did not go back after receiving their passports. They should have returned to the embassy to undergo the process of repatriation after receiving their passports, he said.
He added that some were able to legalize their status and found jobs at restaurants and other establishments and that the others worked as household service workers (HSW).
“They probably don’t want to be reprimanded by the embassy for not having pushed through with their repatriation last year. That’s why they approach Filipino community leaders for help instead of embassy officials,” he said.
In an earlier statement, the Philippine Embassy called on them to report or get in touch with Yusoph Khalil for assistance in going home to rejoin their families in the Philippines. The statement mentioned 122 names of illegal residents.
The community leader added that while many decided not to leave after the correction period, the Saudi government crackdown proved effective.
“It flushed out many illegal residents of various nationalities. They were able to correct their statuses, while many, including Filipinos, went back home,” he said.
The crackdown began on April 6 and ended on Nov. 3, 2013.
Ailing Filipino illegals seek assistance from community leaders
