34 distressed OFWs arrive from Jeddah

A batch of 34 overseas Filipino workers from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Saturday morning.

A reprot by James Agustin on Super Radyo dzBB said, the 34 OFWs arrived at 6:17 a.m. on Philippine Airlines flight PR663.

JUST IN: 34 OFWs mula sa Jeddah, Saudi Arabia na hindi nakakuha ng Iqama o residence permit, dumating na sa bansa ngayong umaga. | via @_jamesJA pic.twitter.com/SgSl8ZmLtd

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 16, 2018

All of the repatriated Filipinos were male and have worked in Jeddah as plumbers, electricians, or air-con technicians.

According to  the Repatriation and Assistance Division of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the 34 OFWs failed to secure Iqama or residence permits as the recruitment company that hired them is in debt.

MORE: Ilan sa mga OFWs ay anim na buwan pa lang nagtatrabaho sa Saudi bilang aircon technician, electrician at tubero. | via @_jamesJA pic.twitter.com/DHEFEnnFlr

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 16, 2018

Because they don't have residence permits, the repatriated Filipino workers were idle in the past two months. Some of the OFWs, who arrived home have been in Jeddah in just six months.

The repatriated OFWs can avail of the OWWA's "Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay" program to get a livelihood assistance amounting to P20,000. —John Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News