RIYADH: Philippine Embassy Consul General and officer-in-charge Iric C. Arribas said on Monday that the country’s missions in the Kingdom have started working for the repatriation of thousands of distressed Filipinos in the Kingdom.
“On hand to help Philippine missions in the Kingdom is presidential adviser on OFWs Atty. Abdullah Mamao whose mandate is to repatriate all distressed OFWs in the Kingdom. He has just arrived from Manila,” Arribas said.
In Jeddah, Labor Attaché Jaisal Rasul and his staff are being assisted by an augmentation team representing various departments of the government.
In Alkhobar, Sittie Jaafar, who heads the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-Alkhobar) and her team, are also being assisted by an augmentation team headed by Ambassador Ricardo M. Endaya.
Arribas added that in the Saudi capital, Mamao, a classmate of President Rodrigo Duterte at San Beda College, is joining the embassy team to seek help from various Saudi authorities to expedite the processing of distressed Filipinos’ documents.
He also said that on Sunday, the embassy team, which also includes Labor Attaché Resty S.M. dela Fuente, visited the company camps where distressed OFWs are staying in Riyadh.
Earlier, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman issued a directive for immediate attention to the problems faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Arribas added that under the directive, distressed OFWs are given the option either to go home or work for other companies in the Kingdom if they are willing to be transferred, and in both cases, the Saudi government would help.
“Most of the distressed OFWs want to go home, although some are willing to stay. Penalties that should be imposed on those who will opt to go home will be waived. Their plane tickets will also be provided free of charge,” the consul general said.
Duterte adviser works for return of distressed OFWs
Duterte adviser works for return of distressed OFWs
