Dumpster diving Riyadh OFWs claim being reprimanded by POLO execs

Several Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who resorted to digging through dumpsters for food in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia claimed they were reprimanded by Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officials for taking footage of their situation.

"Noon pong nag-trending ang video namin, pinagagalitan po kami ng POLO at bakit daw po kami nag-video. Hindi daw po namin alam na puwede kaming makasuhan dahil sa ginagawa naming video, 'yung kumpanya po namin baka kami pa raw 'yung mabaligtad," said OFW Pablito de Ocampo at a press conference held by Migrante International on Friday.

Louie Perez, who was with the group of De Ocampo, said their company in Riyadh previously had an agreement with POLO Riyadh that the OFWs would be repatriated should it fail to provide their wages by April 15.

"Ngunit sa kasamaang palad, wala pong repatriation na nangyari," Perez said, adding that POLO Riyadh's response was that their repatriation was still "in process."

Perez and De Ocampo's group had also sought food assistance from the POLO, but claimed it was not enough.

"Ngunit ang nagiging tugon po nila'y 'Nabigyan na kayo. Meron pang mabibigyang iba or dapat bigyang iba,'" Perez said, quoting POLO Riyadh.

"Masakit man po marinig ang mga katagang 'yon ngunit wala po kaming magagawa kundi magparaya na lang at umisip na lang ng ibang alternatibong para kami po ay maka-survive sa bansang ito, at iyon na nga po ang pamumulot ng basura," Perez added.

GMA News has sought comment from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) over the OFWs' claims, but they had yet to respond as of posting time.

But on Thursday, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said they were planning to repatriate the OFWs within the month, though they were in the middle of processing the exit visas.

Cacdac also previously said that the POLO had been ordered to provide the OFWs with food assistance until they were able to return home.

The POLO had also resumed holding food drives after halting operations because some of their personnel tested positive for COVID-19.  — DVM, GMA News