RIYADH, 31 March 2004 — A total of 319 stranded female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from January to March 28, but the high number of runaways continue to pack the shelter run by the Philippine mission, records of the Philippine Embassy and its labor component show.
According to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), 110 were repatriated in January, 98 in February and 111 in March. Some 78 more, mostly domestic helpers who have ran away from their employers for various reason, are still at the OWWA Center (Bahay Kalinga).
The figure does not include those OFWs who have sought shelter at the OWWA Center in Jeddah.
“ We have been doing the mass repatriation since I took over in January to reduce the big number of OFWs staying at the OWWA Center ...,” Roldan told Arab News on Sunday.
Roldan attributed the success of the mass repatriation drive not just to an improvement in the mission’s approach but also to the pressure placed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recruitment agencies concerned, plus quicker action by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on requests for plane tickets, and support from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
He said, however, that some 60-80 female OFWs seek POLO assistance every month, which some officials and community leaders said could a result of cultural differences.
Roldan said he wished that OFWs would be able to discuss their problems with their employers before deciding to run away.
“While the POLO is here to assist them, its assistance is within the limits of the rules and regulations of the host country,” he said.
