Better protection sought for OFWs with risky jobs

MANILA, Philippines - A migrant group in Saudi Arabia urged the Philippine government to create better mechanisms that would protect Filipino workers whose jobs are prone to accidents.   After completing a case study of work-related injuries in Saudi Arabia, migrant group OFW-SOS and Patnubay.com, a website for overseas Filipino workers (OFW), concluded that drivers, construction workers, and field engineers are the most prone to injuries.   The group studied the case of four OFWs in Saudi Arabia who suffered injuries caused by their work.   One of them was 49-year old Filipino driver Salvador Bagkasena who was involved in a road accident resulting in immobility and difficulty in speaking.  Another is 37-year old loader operator Joseph Peruda who faced an exploding diesel tank, destroying the left side of his face.   The other two were mechanical engineer Violita Visaya, 45, who fell from a ladder and damaged his spine and foreman Harris Maulana, 43, who fractured his foot after a concrete panel landed on it.   After studying the conditions of the four, the group reminded the Philippine government and recruitment agencies to make sure that workers are provided with insurances.   “It is our obligation to report these irresponsible companies (who do not provide risk insurance to workers) to the Saudi Government," the group said.   However, it did add that there are actually some good companies and employers who provide risk insurance for their workers   On the other hand, the group also recommended that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh do routine visits or inquiries with the Riyadh Care Hospital where skilled workers with work-related injuries are admitted.   Moreover, it urged POLO and embassy officers to be informed of other mandatory laws in Saudi Arabia that protect worker rights and welfare aside from the Saudi Labor Law.    OFW-SOS was apparently pertaining to the Social Insurance Law and the Cooperative Health Insurance Law.   In addition, it said that while POLO-Al Khobar is very responsible and active in protecting the welfare and rights of OFWs, both POLO-Riyadh and the embassy only have a handful of responsible staff.   “Good leadership or strong political will must be the key plus the heart to serve. The embassy or POLO must fight for the worker's rights according to the laws and procedures of Saudi Arabia," it said.   Meanwhile, the group advised workers to refrain from running away from their abusive employers unless their situation has already become a life-threatening situation.- GMANews.TV