JEDDAH, 13 June 2003 — If the recent meeting between Labor Attache Nasser Munder and Alyansa is a gauge, OFWs in the Western Region had found — at last — an advocate who is ready and willing to fight for their rights.
During the meeting, the labor attaché promised to review the performance of POLO’s labor conciliators, including their treatment of OFWs. Labor conciliators have been pointed to by some OFWs as “uncooperative” in dealing with their labor problems. Some had even accused these conciliators of colluding with their employers because they meet and discuss their cases behind their backs.
Munder also said if OFWs have any complaints against any of his staff, they can tell him. “Let me know so we can correct any wrongdoing,” he told Arab News.
He likewise agreed to suggestions to enlist the services of Saudi labor lawyers. He specifically asked Alyansa to help in urging the national government to “provide a fund that can be tapped in case we need to hire the services of a Saudi lawyer specifically in group complaints.”
The suggestion was gladly welcomed by distressed fisherman from Jizan who have sought assistance from Joe Paduga, of the Transport Cooperative. These 15 fishermen had a dispute with their employer but they claimed that their case was never filed in the Saudi Labor office by the outgoing labor attaché. The fishermen also complained that the labor attaché and some POLO officers met with their employers behind closed doors.
POLO personnel categorically denied the accusation, saying they have exhausted all efforts to settle the dispute but some of the fishermen refused a settlement and insisted that they be sent home instead.
After learning of their case, Munder worked on it. As of this writing, the employer of these fishermen has agreed, during his meeting with Munder, to “provide exit visas upon presentation of tickets.”
According to Munder, the employer was kind enough to let two other fisherman (who didn’t originally belong to the group) to go home as well although the employer was asking about the validity of the contracts they signed. These two particular fishermen had only worked for two months.
At least one OFW had told this writer that when she went to the consulate to complain about her employer, Munder listened to her complaint and offered her legal advice.
“This is the first time that I met with our labor attaché without my pressure shooting up,” Alyansa president Sam Delos Santos said.
Munder also told Alyansa that his office is open to all OFWs that they don’t need to set an appointment to see him because he is always willing to sit down with them. He likewise expressed his desire to seek “support and help” from other community organizations for the betterment of working conditions of OFWs.
Perhaps the greatest challenge now facing the labor office is a safe house for distressed male workers. He said they are looking for a suitable place but are having a hard time finding one. There is an existing facility in the consulate for women distressed workers but it is full to the rafters. However, Munder said, “We have a doctor and a guidance counselor who are ready to help OFWs.”
“So far, our slogan is: we care; we serve. In case an OFW has a problem, let them come to us and we will provide them legal counseling,” Munder added.
Before his overseas assignment, Munder worked as judge in Marawi City. His first assignment with the POLO was in Kuwait. In 1999, he was transferred to Jeddah in 1999. After completing his tour of duty in October last year, he was transferred to Goa, southern China. Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas cut short Munder’s tour of duty in Goa, saying he was needed more in Jeddah to serve an estimated 200.000 OFWs in the entire Western Region of the Kingdom.
