48 Stranded OFWs Fly Home from Saudi Arabia

MANILA: With 48 more distressed OFWs reaching Manila from Riyadh on Saturday, the total number of retrenched Pinoys being repatriated from Saudi Arabia since July 26 has increased to 119.

About 20 OFWs took Gulf Air flight 154, which touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at about 11:35am, reported GMA News.

Another batch of 28 OFWs, all former employees of Saudi Oger Ltd., arrived Saturday evening, the report said.

Rene Bacalso, whose salary for eight months has been withheld, reportedly said that back in Riyadh he and his colleagues could have their meals only when aid comes every Friday.

Another OFW Christopher Labis was quoted as saying that he slept off hunger pangs as no food or aid had come to their camp there.

Also, he reportedly said he had to put off his scheduled return to the Philippines despite securing an exit visa because he had not received his back pay in 10 months.

Over 10,000 OFWs have been retrenched from various companies in the oil-producing county due to the continuing slump in the prices of oil, as well as the Saudization policy, where Saudis are given employment preference over foreign workers.

Upon arrival, repatriated OFWs with no homes in Metro Manila will be temporarily housed at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration center in Pasay City while they arrange their return to their home provinces, reported GMA News.

Retrenched OFWs in Suadi Arabia will receive P20,000 in cash aid from the Philippine government, aside from the P6,000 cash to be given to each of their families, the report said.

(Source: FilipinoTimes.ae)